■ 



I ■ 






■ 



■ 



■ 



I *.*:.> 



■ 






I 



I 



■i 

■ 



^^m 






m 



m 




Book , K flSQiG 



STATISTICAL SURVEY 

OF THE 

COUNTY OF ARMAGH, 

WITH 

OBSERVATIONS 

~ ON 

THE MEANS OF IMPROVEMENT ; 

■DRAWN UP IN THE YEARS 1802, AND 1803, ■ 
FOR THE CONSIDERATION, AND UNDER THE DIRECTION 

OF 

CDe SDuWin ©octetg. 



BY 

SIR CHARLES COOTE, BART. 



Terra suls contenta bonis, non indiga mercis. 

LUCAN. 



FRINTED BY CRAISBERRY AND CAMPBELL, 

JC, BACK-LANE. 
1804, 



o^V 



5^ ** 



TO THE READER, 



This Report is at present printed and circulated 
for the purpose merely of procuring further infor- 
mation^ respecting the state and husbandry of this 
district ', and of enabling every one interested in the 
welfare of this country ', to examine it fully, and 
contribute his mite to its improvement. 

The Society do not deem themselves pledged to 
any opinion given by the Author of this Survey ; 
and they desire, that nothing contained in it be con- 
sidered as their sentiments ; they have only pub- 
lished it, as the report of the gentleman, whose 
name is affixed, and they publish it for the com- 
ments and observations of all persons, which they 
entreat to be given freely, and without reserve. 

It is therefore requested, that the observations on 
reading this work may be returned to the Dublin 
Society, as soon as miry be convenient, and which 
will meet with the fullest attention in a future 
edition* 






DEDICATION. 



TO 

THE RIGHT HON. JOHN FOSTER, 

LATE SPEAKER ov THE HOUSE OF COMMONS OF IRELAND, 

AND 
PRESIDENT OF THE FARMING SOCIETY OF IRELAND, 

fcfc, 60* fcfc 



I had already been honored with 
your permission to commit to the public, under 
the sanction of your patronage, my observa- 
tions on the agriculture and commerce of another 
county; so am I again solicitous of the like 
favour and countenance, in preparing this vo- 
lume for press. 

I feel it, at all times, an additional value 
to my statistical enquiries, to be honored with 
your protection ; but to whom else, Sir, could 
I so properly offer my labours in this fine 
county, so superior to all others in the great 

staple of the nation, as to the friend of the 
a linen 



iv DEDICATION. 

linen trade of Ireland, and the framer of those 
wise laws, which have fixed our manufacture on 
the surest basis, and established a system of 
commerce which defies all competition ? 

I do not presume, Sir, to convey a mere 
compliment; your exertions, for the interest 
and prosperity of Ireland, are superior to my 
panegyric. 

Permit me to have the honor of assuring 
you, how sincerely I am, 

With the most profound respect, and 
truest attachment, 

Your most faithful, obliged, 
And obedient servant, 



CHARLES COOTK. 



DUBLIN, 

June i, 1803. 



PREFACE* 



PREFACE 



A Work embracing such various 
subjects, as are suggested for the statistical 
enquiry of a county, should doubtless have the 
assistance of many. I have heartily to lament, 
and feel it a presumption, that I must lay be- 
fore the public the following sheets, which I 
cannot boast have had that advantage. Pecu- 
liar circumstances, and unfortunate casualties, 
precluded me the information and co-operation 
of those resident gentlemen, who were willing 
to give their cordial aid, and of others, who 
could also have furnished me with very in- 
teresting matter. 

From so learned and respectable a body as the 

clergy of this county, surely, much information 

might have been expected, for a work intended 

a 2 to 



vi PREFACE. 

to effect such public service. Had these gen* 
tlemen contributed thereto, I should not now 
have to complain of any deficiency of materials. 

It is necessary for me to state, that I took 
the best pains I could to obtain information, 
and duly apprized the resident gentry of this 
district of my intended tour by a circular letter, 
in which was enclosed a detail of the subjects to 
be investigated ; I thought it the surest means 
of obtaining their remarks. Four times I tra- 
versed this county, at a considerable expence, 
and I oftentimes called on many of them at 
their houses, but had not the good fortune of 
meeting them, nor have I since been furnished 
with any observations towards the proposed 
enquiry. 

I have, therefore, only to hope, that a candid 
allowance will be made for the errors and omis- 
sions, which must necessarily be found in such a 
laborious work, compiled from my own obser- 
vations, 



PREFACE. vii 

vations, with very few exceptions, which are 
tnankfully acknowledged as they occur. 

It is indeed to be regretted, that the illiberal 
jealousies, which have been roused by the ac- 
tive endeavours of the Dublin Society in their 
institution of Statistical Surveys of counties, 
have not yet subsided; and it is strange, that 
the example of this truly respectable body 
should not have expelled the prejudices, which 
yet pervade some ranks of society, with whom 
ignorance cannot be a plea for their groundless 
fears. Perhaps in the next edition of this vo- 
lume they may please to give their assistance, 
this attempt being only intended as a ground- 
work, or a systematic arrangement, of the sub- 
jects necessary to be examined. 



SUGGESTIONS 



SUGGESTIONS OF ENQUIRY 



FOR GENTLEMEN WHO SHALL UNDERTAKE THE FORMING OF 



AGRICULTURAL SURVEYS. 



GEOGRAPHICAL STATE AND CIRCUMSTANCES. 

Situation and Extent, 

Divifions, 

Climate, 

Soil and Surface, 

Minerals, 

Water. 



AGRICULTURE. 

Mode of culture, 

Extent of it, and of each fpecies of grain fowed, 

Courfe of crops, 

Ufe of oxen — how harnefTed, 

Nature and ufe of implements of hufbandry, 

Markets for grain, 

Ufe of green food in winter, 

PASTURE, 



* SUGGESTIONS 

PASTURE. 

Nature of it, 

Breed of cattle — how far improved, 

— — how far capable of further improvement, 

Markets or Fairs for them, 

General prices, 

Modes of feeding — how far houfed in winter, 

Natural grafTes, 

Artificial grafles, 

Mode of hay-making, 

Dairies, their produce, 

Prices of hides, tallow, wool, and quantity fold. 



FARMS. 
Their fize, 

Farm houfes and offices, 

Mode of repairing them, whether by landlord or tenant, 

Nature of tenures, 

General (late of leafes, 

■ of particular claufes therein, 

Taxes or CefTes paid by tenants, 

Proportion of working horfes or bullocks, to the fize of farms, 

General fize of fields, or enclofures, 

Nature of fences, 

Mode of hedge-rows, and keeping hedges, 

Mode of draining, 

Nature of manures. 

GENERAL 



OF ENQUIRY. xi 

GENERAL SUBJECTS. 

Population, 

Number arid fize of villages and towns, 

Habitation, fuel, food and cloathing of the lower rank — their 
general coil, 

Prices of wages, labour, and provifions, 

State of tithe, its general amount on each article- — what arti- 
cles are exempt, and what charged by modus, 
Ufe of beer and fpirits — whether either or which is increafing, 
State of roads, bridges, &c. 

of navigations and navigable rivers, 

of fisheries, 

State of education, fchools, and charitable institutions, 

— of abfentee and refident proprietors, 

— of circulation of money or paper, 

1 of farming or agricultural focieties, 

of manufactures, whether increafing, 

— — of encouragement to them, and the peculiar aptnefs of 

the fituation for their extenfion, 
' ■ of mills of every kind, 

• of plantations and planting, *** 

— of the effects of the encouragement heretofore given to 

them by the Society, particularifed in the lift annexed, 
■ of any improvements which may occur for future en- 

couragement, and particularly for the prefervation of 
the trees, when planted, 
j— — of nurferies within the county and extent of fales, 

Price 



xii SUGGESTIONS, &c. 

Price of timber andftate of it, in the county, 

Quantity of bog and wafte ground, 

Pofiibility and means of improving it, 

Obftacles to it and beft means of removing them, 

Habits of induftry, or want of induftry among the people, 

The ufe of the Englifh language, whether general, or how far 

increafing, 
Account of towers, caftles, monafteries, ancient buildings, or 

places remarkable for any hiflorical event, 
Churches — refident clergy, glebes and glebe houfes, 
Whether the county has been actually furveyed, when and 

whether the furvey is publifhed, 
Weights and meafures, liquid or dry — in what inftances are 

weights afligned for meafures — or vice verfd, 
The weight or meafure, by which grain, flour, potatoes, butter, 

&c. are fold. 



CONTENTS 



CONTENTS 



OF THE 



CHAPTERS. 



PART L 



CHAP. I. 



GEOGRAPHICAL STATE AND MODERN CIRCUMSTANCES^ 
WITH OBSERVATIONS ON THE NATURAL HISTORY 
OF THE COUNTY. 



J 
Sect. 1. Situation and Extent 


1 


2. Superficial Appropriation 


5 


3. Civil Division - 


7 


4. Ecclesiastical Division 


9 


Alphabetical List of Parishes within 




the County ~ 


10 


Parishes which branch into this 




County >- 


15 



fleferences 



xiv CONTENTS. 

Page 

References to Ecclesiastical Denomi- 
nations, which are not distinct 

parishes - 17 

Archbishoprick, or province of Ar- 
magh - - 18 

Table of extent of Archbishoprick 1 9 

Table of first fruits - -20 

SECT. 5. Climate - - -22 

6. Soil and Sw face - - 25 
Mountains - - 33 
Woods - - - 46 
Bog and Moor - 72 

7. Minerals - - 84 
Fossils, native, and extraneous - ibid. 
Mineral Waters - - 86 

S. Waters - - 8S 

77/£/d o/* ffo Distance which each 
River runs, and the course it 

takes through this County - 94 

Lakes - - 9$ 

Lough- Neagh - - 96 

Navigations - - 104 

Newry canal - 106 

Fish - - - 111 

Aquatic Birds - - 1 1 2 

Amphibious animals - - ibid. 

Aquatic Plants - - 113 

CHAP. 



CONTENTS. xv 



CHAP. II. 

STATE OF PROPERTY. 

Page 

Sect. 1. Estates - - - 117 

2. Tenures - « us 

3. Rental - ' - - 120 

4. Landed Proprietors - - 122 



CHAP. III. 

BUILDINGS. 

Sect. 1. Public Buildings ~ - 130 

2. Houses of the Gentry - - 13il 

3. Farm-houses, and Offices - 132 

4. Manufacturers' Houses, and Cottages 133 



CHAP. IV. 

MODE OF OCCUPATION, 

Sect. l. Size of Farms - ' » 136 

2. Character of Farmers - - 138 

Sect, 



cvi CONTENTS. 






Page 


Sect. 3. Rent 


141 


4. Tithes 


142 


5. Leases 


144 


Clauses in Leases 


ibid. 



CHAP. V. 



IMPLEMENTS. 

Prices of Implements 



147 



CHAP. VI. 



INCLOSING. 



Sect. 1. Thorn fences, hedges 
2. Paling 
.3. Walls 

4. Water fences 

5. Ditches 

6. Gates 



149 
153 
155 
157 

158 
159 



PART 



CONTENTS, **ii 

PART II. 
CHAP. VII. 

AGRICULTURE. 

Page 

Preliminary Remarks - - 161 

Parochial Queries suggested by the 
Dublin Society - 163 

Sect. 1. Mode of Culture - 167 

Defects in the Plough, and remedies 

proposed - - 168 

Defects in the Harrow, and remedies 
proposed - 169 

2. Extent of Culture, and of each spe- 

cies of Grain sowed - 171 

3. Course of Crops - 172 

4. Use of Oxen, how harnessed - 177 

5. Nature and use of Implements of 

Husbandry - - ibid, 

6. Markets for Grain - 181 

7. Use of Green Food in Winter - 182 

8. General observations on the modes of 

Agriculture, as practised in the 
coimty, with remarks on drill 
husbandry - - ibid, 

Wheat culture - 183 

Barley 



XV 111 



CONTENTS. 












Page 


Barley culture 


- 


- 


187 


Oats culture 


- 


- 


189 


Potatoc culture 


- 


- 


191 


General hints on Potatoc culture 




195 


Flax culture 


- 


- 


197 


Crops not commonly cultivated to 


anij 


r 


extent 


- 


- 


198 


Turnips fas food for 


cat tie J 


- 


201 


Rape - ditto 


- 


- 


205 


Cabbages ditto 


- 


- 


209 


Carrots and parsnips 


ditto 


- 


ibid. 


Potatoes ditto 


- 


- 


210 


Tares and vetches 


ditto 


- 


ibid. 


Peas - ditto 


- 


- 


214 


Beans - ditto 


- 


- 


215 


Hemp 


„ 


. 


216 



CHAP. VIII. 



PASTURE. 



Sect. 1. Nature of it - 217 

2. Breed of Cattle — how far improved? 220 

3. How far capable of further improve- 

meat? - ibid. 

4. Markets or Fairs for them - 22 1 

Alphabetical 



CONTENTS. xix 

Page 
Alphabetical List of the Fairs of this 
County - 222 

Sect. 5. General Prices - - 223 

6. Modes of Feeding — how far housed 

in Winter - - 224 

Sects. 7, &( 8. Natural Grasses — Artificial 

Grasses - - - 225 

Sect. 9. Mode of Hay -making - 226 

10. Dairies — their produce - 229 

1 1 . Prices of Hides, Tallow, Wool, and 

quantity sold - - 230 



CHAP. IX. 

FARMS. 

Sect, l . Their size - 232 

2. Farm Houses and Offices - ibid, 

3. Mode of repairing them - 233 
Sects. 4, 5,6. Nature of Tenures; General 

state of Leases; of particular 
Clauses therein - - ibid. 

Sect. 7. Taxes or Cesses paid by Tenants 234 
8. Proportion of working Horses, or 

Bullocks, to the size of Farms 235 
b Sects, 



*x CONTENTS. 

Page 
Sects. 9, 10, 11. General size of Fields, or 
Enclosures; Nature of Fences; 
Mode of Hedge-rows and keeping 
Hedges - - - ibid. 

Sect. 12. Mode of draining - - 236 

13. Nature of Manures - - 238 



CHAP. X. 

GENERAL SUBJECTS. 

Sect. I. Population - 243 

2. Number and size cf Villages and 

Towns - - 247 

Table of Towns and Villages - 24$ 

Sects. 3, 4. Habitation, Fuel, Food, and 
Clothing of the lower Rank ; their 
general Cost ; Price of Wages, 
Labour, and Provisions ; and ge- 
neral View of the Rural Eco- 
nomy of the County - 249 

5. State of Tithe ; its general amount 
on each article ; what articles are 
exempt, and what charged bij 
modus - - 2.57 

Sect, 



CONTENTS. XXI 

Page 
Sect. 6. Use of Beer and Spirits — whether 

either, or which is encreasing 258 

Sects. 7, S, 9. State of Roads and Bridges, 
of Navigations and Navigable 
Rivers, of Fisheries, and of Ma- 
nufactures ; or a general view of 
Political Economy, as affecting 
Agriculture, or connected with it ibid. 
Sect. 10. State of Education, Schools, and 

Charitable Institutions - 274 

1 1 . State of Absentee and Resident Pro- 

prietors - - ibid, 

12. Circulation of Money or Paper ibid. 

13. Farming or Agricultural Societies 275 
Sects. 14, 15. State of Manufactures, whether 

encreasing ; of encouragement to 
them, and the peculiar aptness of 
the situation for their extension ibid. 

Sect. 16. Of Mills of every kind - ibio\. 

Sects. 17, 18, 19, 20, & 21. State of Plan- 
tations and Planting ; of the ef- 
fects of the encouragement hereto- 
fore given to them by the Society, 
particularized in the list annexed* 
Of any improvements which may 
occur for future encuuragement, 
and particidarly for the preserva- 
b 2 tipn 



KXU CONTENTS. 

Page 
tion of Trees when planted. Of 

Nurseries within the County, and 
Extent of Sales. Price of Tim- 
ber, and state of it in the County 276 
Premiums adjudged by the Dublin 
Society, for planting in the county 
of Armagh, since the year 1786, 
where security has been given to 
preserve the same for ten years 
from the date of the grant - 2S0 

Sects. 22, 23, & 24. Quantity of Bog ; pos- 
sibility and means of improving 
it; obstacles to it, and best means 
of removing them - - ibid. 

25, 26. Habits of Industry, or want of 
Industry among the People. — The 
■use of the English Language, 
whether general, or how far en- 
creasing? - - 282 

Sfct.27. Account of Towers, Castles, Mo- 
nasteries, Ancient Buildings, or 
places remarkable for any histori- 
cal event - 283 
. Ch urc h cs — Resident Clergy — Glebes, 
and Glebe Houses - - ibid. 
29, Whether the County has been actu- 
ally surveyed; when ; arid whether 
the Survey is published f - 284 

Sects. 



CONTENTS. xxiii 

Page 
Sects. 30, 31. Weights and Measures, liquid 
and dry ; in what instances are 
Weights assigned for Measures, 
or vice versa ? — The Weight or 
Measure, by which Grain, Flour, 
Potatoes, Batter, Uc. are sold 285 
Sect. 32. Of Mines within the County <* 236 



CHAP. XL 

LIVE STOCK. 

Sect. 1. Horned Cattle * - 288 

2. Horses - 290 

3. Sheep - 292 

4. Goats - 293 

5. Hogs ... 294r 

6. Rabbits - 295 
Sects. 1, 8. Poultry, Pigeons ~ - ibid. 

Sect. 9. ifa?s - 296 



CHAP. XII. 



general observations, 2m 



PART 



xxiv CONTENTS. 



PART III. 



CHAP. XIII. 

BARONIAL SURVEY, INCLUDING THE ANTIQUITIES 
OF THE COUNTY." 

Page 
Preliminary Observations - 301 

Sect. 1. Barony of Armagh - - 302 

2. Barony of Turenny - - 328 

3. Baronies of Upper and Lower Fews 331 

4. Baronies of East and West O'Neiland 335 

5. Baronies of Upper and Loicer 

Orior ; including some curious 
and interesting particulars of the 
Lordship of Nexvry - - 349 



CHAP. XIV. 

CONCLUSION. - 394- 



APPENDIX. 



CONTENTS. xxv 

APPENDIX. 

Page 
Extracts from Harris's Hibemica, and 

Captain Pynnafs Survey of Ulster \ 
in which are given the Names of the 
original Patentees of the forfeited 
lands of this County, and their de- 
nominations, with preliminary ob- 
servations - - i 

Religious Houses of the County, from 

Ware's Antiquities of Ireland - 28 

Religious Houses of the County, from 

ArchdalVs Monasticon Hibernicum 29 



STATISTICAL 



., 



k 



STATISTICAL SURVEY 



OF THE 



COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 



PART I. 



CHAP. I. 

GEOGRAPHICAL STATE AND MODERN CIRCUMSTANCES, 
WITH OBSERVATIONS ON THE NATURAL HISTORY 
OF THE COUNTY. 

Sect. 1. Situation and Extent. 

.RMAGH, which is an inland county of Ulster, 
lies between fifty-four degrees four minutes, and 
fifty-four degrees thirty minutes, of north latitude, 
and six degrees five minutes, and six degrees forty- 
five minutes, of west longitude from Greenwich : its 
form is rather oblong, stretching considerably in 
an angle, both on the north-east, and western ex- 
tremities ; these narrow tracts, in the aggregate, 
will be found to add more than four minutes of lon- 
gitude to the superficies of the county ; for, taking 
the average breadth of the surface of Armagh, it 

b is 



i STATISTICAL SURVEY 

is not more than twelve Irish miles, but its actual 
breadth from the two most distant extremities is full 
sixteen* miles ; that is, from the bounds of Mo- 
naghan county on the west, near the village of 
Glaslough, to Scarvagh village on the east, which 
touches the Newry canal line, where it is separated 
from Down county ; the variation of its length 
does not any where exceed much above one mile, 
the average extent of the county, in this direction, 
being very nearly twenty-four Irish miles ; the most 
distant extremes, from Maghery village on the 
shore of Lough-Neagh on the north, to the town- 
land of Dromlece near Foxfield on the south, join- 
ing the county of Louth, in a direct line, are but 
twenty-five miles asunder; the circumference of the 
county is about eighty Irish miles. 

The superficial contents are 283 square miles, or 
181,450 acres plantation measure; this in English 
measure will be 290.JSG acresf . 

It 

* Doctor Beaufort, in the Memoirs of his map of Ireland, 
states this county but fifteen miles in breadth; but, by the 
actual survey, which was taken in 1778, it is laid down to 
be sixteen miles broad. 

f In the rules and conditions for the plantation of Ulster, 
published by royal authority, anno 1608, it is asserted, that 
the whole county of Arm.igh contained but 77,800 English 
acres : in this was meant, arable, pasture, and forfeited lands 
only, so that the difference, being 212,986 acres, were then 

the 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 3 

It is bounded on the north-west by Tyrone coun- 
ty ; on the west by Monaghan ; Louth ranges the 
southern, as does Lough-Nea^h the northern ex- 
tremity ; and Down, the full extent of the eastern 
confines. 

From the south-western point of Lough-Neagh to 
Caledon, on the borders of Tyrone, the line of se« 
paration between Armagh and this latter county is 
the Black water river ; another stream, which we 
also trace in a retrogade course, joins this river, 
marking the boundary on Monaghan side, from 
hence to a mile beyond Middleton village in the 
barony of Turenny, and is the same river, or rather 
chain of lakes, which runs through Castleshane vil- 
lage in that county. An angle of this river forms 
the point of junction with Armagh, Monaghan, and 
Louth counties, and touches the bounds of Cregan 
parish, near the village of Culloville. 

The western limits are continued by poor fences, 
and naked ditches, for about four miles further, 
where a small stream, in some places but a ditch 
of water, is the line of division, passing through a 
bleak and wild country, and intersecting the Fews 
mountains in the same direction, until it meets a 

b 2 very 

the unforfeited and church lands, and also waste or unprofi- 
table scopes which were never rented. 

See Harris's Hibernica, part 1st, pages 60, 62, Dublin 
edition, printed anno 1 747, 



4 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

very rapid river, the Fane, which passes near Cul- 
loville on the south-western point, and from thence, 
touching on the south-eastern extremity of Mo- 
naghan, runs into Louth county, and is discharged 
into the bay of Dundalk. 

The line on the southern boundary towards the 
shore opposite to Warren Point, which separates 
this county from Louth, for the greater way, is 
but imperfectly traced, through a very wild, and 
in some places a barren district, and in this bleak 
region can be, but with difficulty, if at all, truly 
ascertained, where nothing is presented, but the 
immense rocky mountains, which stretch onwards 
towards Carlingford ; but the eastern limits, from 
the tide water to Knock bridge, within a few 
miles of the south-east angle of Lough-Neagh, are 
doubly marked by the line of navigation, which se- 
parates this county from Down, and the river it 
adjoins, and runs parallel with, in some places, 
but a few yards asunder ; from the point where the 
canal meets the Bann, at Knock-bride, near Carrick 
demesne, the remaining part of the boundary is 
through a very beautiful and highly improved coun- 
try, extending considerably in an eastern direction, 
and from hence to Lough-Neagh forming an obtuse 
angle, in which the town of Lurgan is included : 
the entire northern limit is the shore of Lough- 
Neagh ; so that, on the whole, the bounds of this 

county 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 5 

county are well marked, and for the most part 
distinguished by strong and natural features. 

Sect. 2. Superficial Appropriation, 

The superficial appropriation of Armagh may be 
thus estimated : 

Acres. 
Arable lands, pasture, and meadow, . . 157,450 
Rivers and lakes* ....... 1,000 

Koads, towns, and villages, .... 2,000 

Woods and plantations, ..... 1,000 

f Mountain, bog, and waste, .... 20,000 



Total plantation acres 181,450 



Inequality 

* There is no part of Lough-Neagh comprehended in tliis 
calculation, which covers an immense tract, not less than 
an area of above one half the extent of the smaller counties 
of Ireland. Louth, which is the smallest, does not con- 
tain more than 1 10,750 acres of every description, and Long- 
ford has but 134,152. The area' of Lough-Neagh has been 
in all the old maps laid down as containing nearly 100,000 
acres, but the late surveys deny that it covers quite 60,000 
acres. If the lands around this lake, which are subject to 
its floods, should be taken into account, the product would 
even exceed the greater calculation ; for in Down county, 
where the land lies on the shore of Lough-Neagh, at no 
less distance than eight miles from thence, its waters have 
frequently overflowed to a very alarming degree. 

f A considerable quantity of land, which formerly was 
rated as mountain and waste, does not now come under that 

denomination. 



6 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

Inequality of surface is a predominant feature 
through every part of Armagh, except in the 
northern district, where it gradually terminates in 
a plain, and is there a fine fiat champaign country. 

But though the greater part of the country has 
an undulating surface, it serves to add to its beauty, 
as those hills are mostly very gentle, and possess a 
very generous and fertile soil ; in many places, 
judicious plantations and comfortable orchards highly 
enrich the scene. Contrasting these cultivated lands, 
and their neat inclosures, with those of the like na- 
tural feature in some neighbouring counties, we 
cannot attribute the bleak and inhospitable appear- 
ances of the latter to any thing but a neglect of that 
industry, which here has so conspicuously beauti- 
fied the country ; and these natural features must 
every where be considered as a great capability, 
towards the actual, as well as the ornamental im- 
provement of a country. 

This irregularity of surface is obvious through the 
interior. I have already shewn that the mountain- 
ous district, which in some places is beautifully 
picturesque^ lies on the borders of the county. 



Sect. 

denomination. In the midst of the wildest districts, are 
large tracts of good pasture and arable land. 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 



Sect. 3. Civil Division. 

This county formerly consisted of five baronies,* 
three of which have been subdivided ; it therefore 
now contains eight baronies. 

1. Armagh, 1. Armagh. 

2. Turenny or Tyranny, 2. Turenny. 

S.O'Neiland, now diiid- ( 3. O'Neiland E. ) 
ed into \ 4. O'Neiland W. f 

4. Fews, iioxv divided i 5. Upper Fews. } 
into \ 6. Lower Fews. } 

5o Orior, 

* In the survey made by Pynnar, in 1618, it is to be 
observed, he divides Armagh into three baronies only, viz. 
O'Neiland, Fews, and Orior ; I could not ascertain whether 
Armagh and Turenny had been at that time distinct baro- 
nies ; if they were forfeited lands, doubtless their deno- 
mination, as separate baronies, had not then existed, as his 
survey relates particularly to the lands, which were escheated 
to the crown ; but in the project, which was published by 
order of James the ist. setting forth the intended plantation 
of Ulster, and also the rules and conditions to be observed 
by undertakers, (which was of the date of i <5o8, and of course 
ten years prior to Pynnar's survey,) it is stated, that Ar- 
magh county was at that time divided into denominations 
of land termed Ballyboes, each of which contained about 
sixty English acres, on an average; but, as these deno- 
minations were not found to be of equal quantity, or num- 
ber of acres, it was judged proper to abolish this distinction, 

and 



3 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

5. *Orior, now divided ( 7. Upper Orior and ) 
into \ 8. Lower Orior. j 

It is very strange, there is no County book in 
Armagh, nor could I, on enquiry, discover the cause 
of the neglect, or whether such ever existed. Of 
course, the contents of the baronies cannot be as- 
certained. 

The treasurer of the county, in his applotment, 
is guided by a solitary record, which is called the 
key of the county. By this key, he applets the pro- 
portion, which each barony is to pay of the sum 
presented on the county at large. 

This key was found in the papers of the late 
treasurer, and seems to have been sanctioned by 
the Grand Jury so far back as the year 1758. 

There are applotters in each barony, who re- 
gulate the acreable proportion, which each deno- 
mination is to pa}'. 

The 

and in its place substitute acres only ; so that it is very pro- 
bable, it was in the intermediate time, prior to Pynnar's 
survey, that the county was first divided into baronies. See 
Harris's Hibernica, Page 112. 

* A small parcel of land in the lordship of Newry is 
included in Orior barony; the almost entire of the lordship 
is in Down county, and there constitutes a half barony in 
itself. 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 



The annexed 


is the key of 


assessment. 






Proportion of every 'pound 
sterling, raised off the 
Vo. Baronies, county at large. £. 


$. 


4. 


1. Armagh, ] 


pays at the rate of . 


4 . 


8i 


2. Turenny, 


ditto, 


. 


2 . 


» 


3. O'Neiland, E. 


ditto, 


. 


1 . 


> H 


4. O'Neiland, W. 


ditto, 


. 


4 . 


% 


5. Upper Orior, 


ditto, 


. 


1 , 


si 


6. Lower Orior, 


ditto, 


. 


2 


8 


7. Upper Fews, 


ditto, 


. 


. 


9 


§. Lower Fews, 


ditto, 


. 


1 . 


7 



.£.1.0.0 



Sect. 4. Ecclesiastical division. 



In this county are twenty-one parishes, seventeen 
of which are entirely within the county, two partly 
in the county of Tyrone, and two branching into 
Down. Of these twenty-one parishes, three are 
in the diocess of Dromore, which have each parish 
churches, and the remaining eighteen, with twenty- 
seven churches, are in, and make a part of, the 
archbishoprick of Armagh. The churches are in 
excellent, indeed, mostly, in elegant repair. 

Alphabetical 



I© STATISTICAL SURVEY 



Alphabetical List of Parishes within the County. 

1. Armagh, a rectory united with the deanery, 
in the diocess of Armagh, and baronies of Armagh, 
Upper Fews, and O'Neiland west. Yearly value 
1400/. Lord Viscount LifTord, incumbent, who re- 
sides. The parsonage and glebe are both excellent. 
A considerable quantity of deanery lands are let 
at low rents, and renewed like bishops' leases. Four 
perpetual cures are annexed to this parish, which 
have small glebes and parsonages, l. Lisnadill, 2. 
Grange, 3. Newtown-Hamilton, 4. Eden. Eglish is 
annexed to the choir of the cathedral. The church 
and parsonage of Lisnadill were erected by the 
late Lord Rokeby during his primacy, in a style 
truly characteristic of their noble founder. The 
first fruits of this parish are 25/. 

2. Ballymoier, alias Ballywire, a rectory in the 
diocess of Armagh, and barony of Upper Fews. 
Yearly value 1 80/. The Rev. Mr. Paul, incum- 
bent, who resides. This parish has a handsome par- 
sonage, and small glebe, and the entire parish was 
originally a part of Armagh parish. 

3. Bally more, alias Tanderiigec, a rectory in 
the diocess of Armagh, and barony of Lower Orior. 
Yearly value 900/. The Rev. Doctor Leslie, who 
died lately, was presented to this benefice by his 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. ix 

grace Doctor Sterne, primate, anno 1757, and was 
forty-five years rector of this parish. He discharged 
the duties of his situation in so exemplary a manner, 
that his memory will be revered by every person 
who knew him. An elegant parsonage and glebe 
is contiguous to the town of Tanderagee. 

The Doctor procured a second church to be built 
in this parish, as a chapel of ease, at Poyntz's pass, 
and established a perpetual cure with a neat house, 
and a small glebe for the curate. The late incum- 
bent constantly resided. First fruits, 13/. 6s. &d. 

4. Cregan, a rectory in the diocess of Armagh, 
and baronies of Upper and Lower Fews. Yearly 
value 700/. The Hon. and Rev. Percy Jocelyn, in- 
cumbent, who resides. In this parish is a good 
parsonage, and extensive glebe, but the land is in- 
different. A charter school was established here 
for thirty children, anno 1737, and endowed with 
three acres of land in perpetuity, one by the late 
Rev. Hugh Hamill, D. D. when incumbent, who 
also subscribed 5/. annually ; another by the late 
Francis Hall, Esq. and a third by the late Thomas 
Ball, Esq. First fruits of parish 25/. 

5. Derrynoose, alias Madden, a rectory in the diocess 
of Armagh, and baronies of Armagh and Turenny. 
Yearly value 700/. The Rev. Mr. Staples, incum-* 
bent, who resides. In this parish is an old, but 
neat parsonage, and a glebe. First fruits 20/. 

6. Drumcreei 



12 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

6. Drumcfee, a rectory in the diocess of Armagh, 
and barony of O' Neil and west. Yearly value 450/. 
The Rev. Mr. Maunsell, incumbent, who resides. 
In this parish is an old parsonage, and some glebe. 
First fruits, 18/. 

7. Fork/nil, a rectory in the diocess of Armagh, 
and barony of Upper Orior. Yearly value 250/. 
The Rev. Mr. Atkinson, incumbent, who resides. 
In this parish is a neat small parsonage, and a small 
glebe ; a very considerable charity has been estab- 
lished under an act of parliament, springing from 
a most extraordinary will, made by the late Richard 
Jackson, Esq. of Forkhill. For particulars, see 
chap. 13, sect. 5. Orior. 

3. Ready, a rectory in the diocess of Armagh, 
and baronies of Armagh and Fews. Yearly value 
200/. The Rev. Mr. Close, incumbent. The curate 
resides in the small parsonage, to which there is a 
glebe annexed. This parish was formerly part of 
Armagh parish. 

9. Killevy, a rectory in the diocess of Armagh, 
and barony of Upper Orior. Yearly value 1300/. 
The Rev. Mr. M'Cleland, incumbent, does not re- 
side here, but in the town of Armagh, where he 
has a parsonage, as precentor to the cathedral. No 
parsonage for the rector in this extensive parish ; 
but at Camlough near Newry a new church has 
been lately built, as a chapel of ease, and a small 

house 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 13 

house for the curate who resides ; a small glebe has 
also been laid off. The rector's glebe lands are ex- 
tensive. First fruits, 20/. 

10. Killmore, a rectory in the diocess of Armagh, 
and baronies of O'Neiland west, and Lower Orior. 
Yearly value, 1 100/. The Rev. Doctor Lodge, in- 
cumbent, who resides occasionally here in summer, 
and in Armagh city in winter, at the public library ; 
he is librarian. In this parish is an excellent new 
parsonage, and a fine glebe. 

It has also a chapel of ease at Mullavilly, near 
Tanderagee town, called New church, which was 
built about the year 1755, at the sole expence of 
the Rev. Doctor Brandreth, Dean of Emly, the 
then incumbent, and the ground was given by the 
then Lord Viscount Fane, on whose estate it was 
built. First fruits of this parish 18/. 

1 1 . Loughgall, a rectory in the diocess of Armagh, 
and barony of O'Neiland west. Yearly value 450/. 
The Rev. Mr. Bissett, incumbent, who resides oc- 
casionally here, and also at the parsonage and 
glebe of his other parish in the county of Louth, 
near Drogheda. In this parish is a very neat par- 
sonage, and good glebe, and a new and very hand- 
some church has been lately built. 

12. Loughgitilly , a rectory in the diocess of Ar- 
magh, and baronies of Lower Fews and Lower 
Orior. Yearly value 750/. The Rev. Dean War- 
burton 



i 4 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

burton, incumbent, Avho resides in an excellent par- 
sonage, to which a good glebe is annexed. It has 
also a chapel of ease at Drumbanagher. First fruits 
of parish, 20/. 

13. Mullabrack, a rectory in the diocess of Ar- 
magh, and barony of Lower Fews. Yearly value, 
1 100/. The Rev. Doctor Hamilton, incumbent, who 
resides occasionally here, and at the observatory, 
near Armasrh, of which he is astronomer. In this 
parish is a good parsonage, and a glebe of about 
}200 acres. A chapel of ease has been lately built 
at Kilcloney, between Keady and Market-hill. 
First fruits of parish, I6l. ; of this sum 6/. for Kil- 
cloney, which was united. 

14. Segoc, a vicarage in the diocess of Dromore, 
and baronies of O'Neiland, east and west. Yearly 
value, 500/. The Rev. Mr. Blacker, incumbent, 
who resides. This parish has an excellent parsonage 
and glebe : it has also a perpetual cure at Muntuaghs, 
alias Mointagles, value, 120/. Part of the emolu- 
ment of this cure arises from the first fruits office. 
First fruits, 4/. 

15. Shank/iill, alias Lurgan, a rectory in the dio- 
of Dromore, and barony of O'Neiland east. 

Yearly value, 500/. The Rev. Mr. Waring, incum 
bent, resides on his- estate in the county of Down, 
There is no parsonage or glebe in this parish. First 
fruits, 6L 

16. Tarttn^aghan, 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 15 

16*. Tartar aghan^ a rectory in the diocess of Ar- 
magh, and barony of O'Neiland west. Yearly value 
300/. The Rev. Mr. Jephson, incumbent, who has 
a parsonage and glebe. 

17. Tynan , a rectory in the diocess of Armagh, 
and barony of Turenny. Yearly value 900/. The 
Rev. Mr. Quin, incumbent, who resides. In this 
parish is a very elegant parsonage and glebe, and it 
has a perpetual cure at Middleton, where a very 
handsome new church and extensive parsonage has 
been lately built; a small glebe is annexed. For 
particulars of an extensive charity, affecting the lands 
of Middleton, bequeathed by Archbishop Sterne, 
see chap. 13, sect. 2, Turenny. First fruits of pa- 
rish, 20/, 



Parishes which branch into this County. 

1. Clonfeacle, a rectory in the diocess of Armagh, 
and the counties of Armagh and Tyrone. The 
greater part is in Tyrone, and barony of Dun- 
gannon ; the lesser in Armagh, and baronies of Ar- 
magh and O'Neiland west. The parish church is 
at Benburb, on the borders of the two counties ; the 
parsonage and glebe in T}-rone. The Rev. Doctor 
Richardson, late a Fellow of Trinity College, Dub- 
lin, incumbent. The value of this living in Ar- 
• magi 



16 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

magh county is very small. The patronage is in 
the College. First fruits, 16/. 

2. Killyman, a rectory in the diocess of Armagh, 
and counties of Armagh and Tyrone ; the greater 
part is in Tyrone, and barony of Dungannon ; the 
lesser in Armagh, and barony of O'Neiland east. 
The Rev. Mr. Caulfield, incumbent. The church, 
parsonage, and glebe, are in Tyrone county. The 
value of this living in Armagh is very small. 

3. Magheralin, a rectory in the diocess of Dro- 
more, and counties of Armagh and Down. The 
greater part is in Down, and barony of Upper Ive- 
agh. The lesser part in Armagh, and barony of 
O'Neiland east. The church, glebe, and parson- 
age are in Down county. The value of this living 
in Armagh is very small. First fruits, 5l. 

4. Newry, a lay-rectory in the diocess of Armagh, 
and counties of Armagh and Down. The greater 
part is in Down county, and the entire parish is in 
the lordship of Newry, which extends into Upper- 
Iveagh in Down, and into Upper Orior and O'Nei- 
land west in Armagh. The church is in Down 
county. The lord of the manor is rector, and his 
vicar is the Rev. Doctor Campbell, who resides ; 
but there is no glebe or parsonage. Grange, near 
Loughgall, is a part of this parish, and was formerly 
the grange of the old abbey of Newry. For cu- 
rious ecclesiastical privileges, and immunities, which 

the 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 17 

the rector of this parish enjoys, see chap. 13, sect. 
5, Lordship of Newry. 



References to Ecclesiastical Denominations , which 
are not distinct parishes. • 

Ballvwire, see Ballymoier parish. 
Benburb, See Clonfeacle parish. 
Cam lough, see Killevy parish. 
Drumbanagher, see Loughguilly parish. 
Eden, see Armagh parish. 
Eglish, see Armagh parish. 
Kilcloney, see Mullabrack parish. 
Lisnadill, see Armagh parish. 
Lurgan, see Shankhill parish. 
Madden, see Derry noose parish. 
Middleton, see Tynan parish. 
Mointagles, see Segoe parish. 
Mullavilly, see Kilmore parish. 
Muntuaghs, see Segoe parish. 
New Church, see Kilmore parish. 
Newtown-Hamilton, see Armagh parish. 
Poyntz's Pass, see Ballymore parish. 
Tanderagee, see Ballymore parish. 



Archbishoprick, 



it STATISTICAL SURVEY 



Archbishoprick , or province of Armagh. 

The archbishoprick of Armagh is one of the four 
ecclesiastical provinces of Ireland. 

The archbishop is styled Lord Primate of all Ire- 
land ; he has in his province seven bishops, whom 
he presides over; as to his own see of Armagh, he 
holds his visitation annually, but as to his suffra- 
gans, triennially only. 

The following tables are taken from Doctor Beau- 
fort's memoirs of his map of Ireland. 

In the province of Armagh are 10 dioceses. 

1 . Archbishoprick of Armagh. 

2. Bishoprick of Ardagh.* 

3. ■ Clogher. 

4. Connor. 

5. _____ Derry. 

6. Down. 

T. Dromore. 

8. Kilmore. 

9, Meath. 

10. •— . . Raphoe. 

The 

* Ardagh, though in this province, h now annexed to 
the archbishoprick of Tuam. 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 



*9 



The archbishoprick of Armagh extends into five 
counties, is fifty-nine miles from north to south, and, 
in breadth, from ten to twenty-five miles, or, in 
English measure, seventy-five miles long, and from 
twelve and a half to thirty-two broad. 













li- 


« 


u 


E « 












* • e 




u t« 




Counties. 


< 


04 


c 

2Q 




a 


Glebe 
houset 

Glebes 


£ g c 


E. 
U 




Armagh, 


170,850 


17 


17 


2.1 


23 I 


I 








Londonderry, 


25,000 


5 


5 


6 


4 1 


O 








Louth, 


108,900 


61 


28 


20 


11 5 


l 3 


12 


9 


Meath, 


13,300 


p.of 2 














O 





Tyrone, 
Total 


162,500 


2C 


'9 
6 9 


20 

69 


13 6 



«4 


O 
12 



9 


468,550 


IO3 


5 l *3 



The average number of acres to each church, in 
the archbishoprick, are 6,761, and the proportion of 
impropriations 4,90. 

The average number of acres to the ecclesiastical 

province of Armagh, are 9,684, and the proportion 

of impropriations 3,43; the total number of acres, 

in the ecclesiastical province, are 4,3 19,250 ; of pa- 

c 2 rishes 



* Four of these glebe-houses are in the perpetual cures, 
into which the parish of Armagh is divided, and there are 
five more appropriated to the choir. 

It is at present in contemplation, to have a glebe and par- 
sonage appropriated to every church in this diocess 5 or, at 
least, to every benefice. 



*© STATISTICAL SURVEY 

rishes 663; of benefices 419 ; of churches 446 ; of 
glebe-houses 212 ; of parishes with glebes only 156; 
of benefices without glebes 83; of rectories impro- 
priate 133; and of parishes wholly impropriate 
60. 

The crown has the patronage of thirteen parishes, 
the Lord Primate of sixty. The university of Dub- 
lin presents to three, and the remainder have lay 
patrons. 

Table of first fruits of the ecclesiastical benefices of 
the archbishoprick of Armagh, from the original 
record, copied in a tract which has been published 
entitled, Valor Beneficiorum Ecclesiasticorum in 
Hibernia. 



Dioecesis Armachana. 

Extenta et taxatio dignitatum et beneficiorum 
spiritualium in dioecesi praedicta, facta per Georg. 
Miden, et Fran. Aungier, Commissionarios Regis 
Jacobi primi 15mo Anno Regni. 

Archiepiscopus 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. *i 

Archiepiscopus Armach. ita taxatur, ultra omnia 
onera et reprisas. 

S. s. d. 
Maner. Termor) feighan, - - - - - 23. 18. 6 

Dromiskin, - - - - ' - - 14 . 1 . 6 

Kilmoone, ------ 5.0.0 

Eniskeene, ------ 10. 0.0 

Turlough, - 0.0.0 

Donoughmore, in Com. Dunen. 10 . . O 

Ardtra, --------98.0.0 

Donoughmore, in Com. Tyron. 70 . . 

Armachan. - - - - - - -140. 0.0 

Duae teniae manerii de Nobber, - - - 5.0.0 
K. impropriate de Athboy,in Com.Miden. 10 .0.0 
Castrum et terra? de Concestor, - - - 2.0.0 
Priorat. Sti Andreoe, vulgo de Black Abbey, 0.0.0 
Messuagium cum gardino in villa de 

Drogheda, -------2.0.0 

Proficua spiritual, jurisdict.archiepiscopat. 10 . . 

In toto .£400 . . a 

Arcbiepis. taxat. alibi, 30 Hen. VIII. 
Decanatus Armach. - - - - - 
*Archidiaconatus Armach. - - - 

Sect. 

* Note : here follow the sums annexed to each parish in 
the diocess; in the tract, the first fruits of this county are 
marked in the alphabetical list of parishes, ut supra* 



183, 17 . 


l\ 


35 . 


. 


2.0. 


i 



*2 STATISTICAL SURVEY 



Sect. 5. Climate. 

In this district, the climate is perhaps more fa- 
vourable than in most of the other counties in 
Ulster. First, from the nature of its soil, which, in 
general, is not retentive, but tilly and warm ; se- 
condly, because the north-east winds, which blow 
in spring, have no mountains to interrupt thrir 
passage, until they arrive at the further verge of 
the county, where, for the first time, the clouds 
are impeded by the Fews mountains, whose falls are 
rather to the western side of the mountain ; thirdly, 
the gentle undulation of the surface with regular 
falls to the valleys, where there are numerous ra- 
pid streams to carry off all superficial water ; 
fourthly, the substratum being gravel or limestone, 
in many places ; and fifthly, because there is little 
or no marsh in the county. To these causes may 
also be taken into account, the great temperature 
obtained by partial and judicious shelter, and, per- 
haps, no where in Ireland, is this improvement 
more eminently conspicuous, than in the greater 
part of Armagh county, where, for a very extended 
district, few even of the peasants' houses, but 
have the shelter of an orchard, to protect them from 
the cold blasts of winter, and their little farms are 

admirably 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 23 

•admirably fenced with great care and neatness. 
The lofty mountains in the county of Down, from 
Mourne to Slieve-Croob, which extend in a south- 
eastern direction from Carlingford Bay, so as to 
completely shelter Armagh, from north to south, 
arrest the heavy clouds, and violent gales, which 
are impregnated with moisture from the channel, 
and the whole southern extremity is shut out by that 
range, from Slieb- Guillen to the Fews. 

The south-east winds are always most violent 
and lasting, and accompanied with torrents of rain, 
nor can fair weather be expected from this quarter; 
these winds are prevalent during the winter months, 
nor do they abate oftentimes till the spring is far 
advanced; but from the good tilth of the soil, the 
business of agriculture is seldom impeded by them. 
This cause, together with the warmth of the soil, 
may be alledged, why the harvest is earlier here, 
by perhaps ten days or a fortnight, than in some 
neighbouring counties ; the difference of forward- 
ness in the seasons, between the more northerly and 
southerly extremes of this small county, proves, 
that it is elevation of surface, and a retentive 
soil, which retards the harvest, and not the trifling 
difference of latitude, which could exist in a tract 
of twenty- five miles distance. The foliation of 
trees, if exposed, is a good criterion of climate 5 
but in plantations those trees best sheltered will 

many 



* STATISTICAL SURVEY 

many days sooner expand, than the same genus in 
a very remote and more southerly latitude, which 
have not the advantage of shelter. 

A continuance of north-easterly winds in March 
is most pernicious, and very materially retards ve- 
getation ; to fruit-trees they are most hurtful, and 
indeed to every kind of horticulture ; it has been 
remarked, that these winds are of late years more 
severe, than have been remembered : until lately, 
the best agriculturists have agreed, that they were 
propitious both for vegetation and for rural labour, 
but it is very certain, that our climate has latterly 
been more harsh, and our seasons less steady ; and 
this same variability and severity is complained of 
in every northern latitude, and even in countries 
more southerly than the British isles. Perhaps, this 
change has been gradual, though latterly more ra- 
pid ; for it is well known, that on some of our high- 
est mountains trees will not now flourish, although 
in removing but a little soil we find immense trunks, 
which prove these lands to have been formerly in 
forest. If the soil in such places was invariably 
boggy and antiseptic, we could account for its 
change to that property, which must have been 
imparted to it from the timber ; but I have seen va- 
rious kinds of elevated soils, where no antiseptic 
or boggy particle existed, and which had formerly 
been in forests, yet no tree would now thrive in such 

places, 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 25 

places, though attended by judicious and careful 
planters; this remark is strongly justified by many 
reports of the like failure of plantations, in more 
northern countries of Europe, and that some delicate 
plants, which were once indigenous, must be now 
sought for in more temperate climates. 

That our climate is considerably altered, is very 
certain, and it is no less so, that we have not pro- 
fited by the change. Fevers are more prevalent 
than formerly ; chronic complaints are more nume- 
rous and violent, and a long train of nervous dis- 
orders have been engendered, which but lately have 
had a name. 

In a variable climate, that district must be most 
favoured, whose soil is warm and tilly, and which 
has natural barriers to defend it from the inclemency 
of storms. Both of these advantages Armagh hap- 
pily possesses, nor are numerous instances of lon- 
gevity wanting, to prove that its climate is not less 
salubrious, as its soil is unquestionably far more 
fertile, than we find in the greater part of the sur- 
rounding districts. 



Sect. 6. Soil and Surface, 

This county has, generally speaking, a very fer- 
tile soil, in a great portion of its land extremely so; 

but 



t6 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

but there is some variation ; yet very few tracts are 
unfit for the purposes of husbandry, and the pro- 
portion but very trifling, where tillage could not be 
successfully prosecuted. 

Taking a distinct view of the soil of this county, 
and commencing northward at the barony of O'Nei- 
land east, we find the superficial stratum a rich 
brown loam, which is tolerably deep ; the substra- 
tum clay, or gravel, but little or any calcareous 
matter, except it is very deep, and only partially 
found. 

On the estate of William Brownlow, Esq is a lime- 
stone quarry, but in a flat low country, very little 
elevated above the level of Lough Neagh; but there 
is so heavy a bearing of soil over the quarry, and 
so great a flow of water when this is removed, 
that this fossil will not repay the expence of work- 
ing it ; so that there is no limestone raised in this 
part of the country, though much is brought in 
for manure from a considerable distance. 

The soil, when assisted with this powerful manure, 
will produce any crop in great abundance ; here, 
it is principally under wheat tillage, which it yields 
very amplv, though their system of farming is not 
to be recommended, as they almost invariably sow 
their wheat in a potatoe fallow. 

The surface of some marshy tracts is a light moor, 
covering a whitish or a yellowish clay equally bad, 

which 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 27 

which they have not materials to effectually im- 
prove, as limestone-gravel, &c. but yet there is a 
sufficient fall for draining, and it has capability of 
being converted into good pasture. 

In this district, there is also a considerable quan- 
tity of bog, which yields red ashes, and is very 
reclaimable. In that part of this barony, which 
lies towards the town of Armagh, the soil is a rieh 
limestone. 

The general description of Orior barony, or the 
eastern district, is a light soil, and has a stony 
earth, which is friable, but no limestone; varying 
from a siliceous schistus to an argillaceous stratum, 
and frequently a slaty subsoil. 

All these soils are improveable by lime, which 
is the great and effectual manure, and although it 
is at a considerable distance from some parts of 
the barony, yet by the Newry canal, which ranges 
this whole district, they can easily be supplied ; the 
cost of the stone at Carlingford is 4s. per ton, and 
the expence of freight is very trifling ; there is no 
toll on the navigation for manure, the property of 
the canal not being vested in a private company ; 
but this will be particularly explained under the 
head of navigation. 

Neither has the southern part of this county any 
calcareous matter, excepting on the borders of 
Louth, where the country is rocky, barren, and 

mostly 



a8 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

mostly unfit for the uses of husbandry, and is well 
defined as barren mountain ; here, huge rocks of 
hard grit are seen promiscuously mixed with blocks 
of limestone, as if by some convulsion of nature 
they were accidentally thrown together ; nor is it 
easy to distinguish the difference in these rocks, 
without breaking them, they are so alike in their 
exterior appearance; but the limestone is only 
found on the verge of the county, for there is none 
in the interior of these mountains, nor from thence 
to Slieve-Guillien, and throughout the Fetvs, the 
stone of these districts being either a very brittle 
and decayed freestone, with a ferruginous tinge, 
or a hard stone, which is of a shade between dark 
blue and green, and, when viewed in different lights, 
seems to change from one to the other colour, and 
which has the general name of whin-stone through 
this county, and many other parts of Ulster, where 
it is found : this stone, therefore, probably is not ho- 
mogeneous, but in its analysis it contained a very 
small particle of calcareous matter, only 4 parts 
in 100, nor will it give fire when struck with the 
steel, though it has all the hardness of flint. If 
whin-stone is the proper name of this fossil, it dif- 
fers from that which is so called in Scotland, as 
described in Williams's natural history of the mi- 
neral kingdom. He calls this species of fossil the 
roof of coal mine ; that it is of a flinty hardness, 

is 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 29 

is black, blackish grey, brown, and red ; he also 
distinguishes another kind of this fossil, whose co- 
lours are grey and black, and are actual basaltes ; 
the grey receives the highest polish, and the black 
takes a good polish, and is unfading : this species, he 
tells us, is called skurdy in the north part of Scot- 
land, and cockle in Cornwall; but the 'best mi- 
neralogists deny that cockle or shirl should be 
ranged under basaltes. 

The gentleman, who favoured me with the ana- 
lysis, his modesty not permitting his name to be 
mentioned, lest he should be inaccurate, says, that 
in 100 parts of the whin-stone, of this county, he 
found it to contain, 

Siliceous earth 46 

Argillaceous 22 

Iron 28 

Calcareous 4 



100 



It is to be remarked, this fossil is not found in 
regular strata like quarries, but in large blocks and 
boulders, and frequently huge long stones, per- 
haps of some tons weight ; and of such nature are 
those great stones, that are set upright, which fre- 
quently encircle a Druids temple, or support the 
altar or sepulchral flag. Except on the borders of 

Louth 



3© STATISTICAL SURVEY. 

Louth county, I never saw limestone in the same 
district with this fossil. 

The western borders, and the middle district of 
the county, are of a limestone soil, on the line 
from Monaghan county towards Armagh ; it is of a 
very good quality and white colour ; from thence 
to the town, it is tinged with red, and gradually 
possesses that colour very strongly ; the redder it 
becomes, it possesses the properties of marble still 
more, taking a polish, but is less calcareous than the 
white limestone. 

Almost the whole of the barony of Armagh pos~ 
sesses this valuable fossil, and in many partial spots 
are very great quarries of the white species, but 
it is never found in pebble or boulders in that dis- 
trict, where the red colour is predominant : some 
limestone of a pearl colour is also found in loose 
masses, and a great deal which is variegated with 
many colours, which is very good marble, and is 
that description which is called plumb-pudding mar- 
ble, from its similitude to it in its spots and dapples. 

All this region is very grateful in tillage, and 
also in meadow, when manured, but the best na- 
tural meadows are on the banks of rivers, and have 
a very deep brown loam, yielding great crops 
without any manure. 



The 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 31 

The natural herbage of the soil is, 
Poa pratensis, or, meadow grass. 
Alipecurus pratensis, or, meadow foxtail. 
Poa trivialis, or, rough stalked meadow grass. 
Avena flavescens, or, yellow oat grass. 
Festuca ovina, or, sheeps fescue grass. 
Cynosurus crystatus, or, crested dog-tail. 
Anthoxantum odoratum, or, sweet scented spring 

grass. 
Festuca loliacea, or, darnel fescue grass. 
Triticum repens, or, couch grass. 
Trifolium pratense, or, red clover. 

But a very few noxious weeds are seen, as the 
constant tillage, and corn crops generally succeed- 
ing potatoes, keep their fields tolerably clean, con- 
siderably more so than in great com countries, 
where the enclosures are large ; they seldom weed 
up any but nettles and thistles ; if a stubble field 
should be left a year in cashier fallow, which is sel- 
dom the case, the crow-foot and tansy soon over- 
spread it, and are very difficult to be eradicated ; 
these matters will, however, come under considera- 
tion more particularly in another section. 

The hilly district is generally of a deep and re- 
tentive soil ; yet the substrata are frequently gra- 
vel, which, though not calcareous, would by pro- 
per application effect all the mechanical assistance, 
which would so abundantly improve the soil, by 

rendering 



$2 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

rendering it more tilly and open : a decayed free- 
stone gravel, and highly tinged with ferruginous 
ore, is partially found in this region; and here are 
frequently slaty subsoils. Heath is particularly vi- 
gorous in these places, nor have many years elapsed, 
since the hills between Tynan and Keady, now in 
such good culture, were entirely covered with 
this plant, which was destroyed by liming, and this 
manure was carried from a good distance. 

There are few moory hills, I mean of turf-moor, 
but abundance are yet clothed with heath-moor, 
and wild pasturage, ferns, small whins, &c. 

The valleys have naturally a rich and loamy soil, 
very grassy, though neither marshy nor yielding 
many aquatic plants ; the poa fiuitans, or, water 
fescue grass, is most luxuriant and rampant. 

The south side of the hills have the best natural 
grasses, and farmers assert, that cattle will reluct- 
antly leave this aspect, for a fresh pasture on the 
north side. 

This description of the soil of this county must 
only be considered as applying generally ; w here 
there is so great a variety, it would be an endless 
task to enumerate distinctly : a sand)- loam is per- 
haps less met w r ith throughout, than an}" other kind 
of soil, though, in general, loam is predominant ; 
fortunately, its subsoil is not retentive. 

The 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 3$ 

The surface, which is beautifully irregular, points 
out the easiest method of draining, and has great 
capabilities in various places for the most approved 
methods of irrigation. As yet, the treasures, which 
may be embowelled in the hills, have been, if at 
all, but very superficially explored. 

The best criterion to judge of the fertility of the 
soil must be the general produce, which in this 
county has a very high reputation, and on the 
average return will not be found inferior, after a 
judicious culture, to that of the best counties of 
Ireland. 

Mountains, 

The principal mountains in Armagh, in point of 
extent, are the Fews, which range the southern and 
western limits, stretching into the interior ; the 
highest mountain in the county is some miles from 
the borders ; it is called Slieb-Gullyn, or Slieve- 
Guillien. It is considered the loftiest in Ulster, ex- 
cepting Slieve-Donard in the neighbouring county 
of Down, and viewing the latter from Slieve-Guil- 
lien it does not appear so high. As Slieve-Donard 
stands so abruptly on the sea coast, its apparent 
height must be considerably encreased, and Slieve- 
Guillien from its interior situation, amongst other 
lofty mountains, must in the like ratio be reduced 

B in. 



34 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

in our sight : from the eastern part of the county of 
Cavan, the latter is distinguished almost every day 
in the year, from a distance of ahout thirty miles ; 
yet Slieve-Donard, which in a right line is but 
nine miles further distant from the same place, 
cannot be discerned even with a good telescope. 
I have been told that, from another point of view, 
the summit of Slieve-Guillien is easily seen with 
the naked eye, though at a more considerable di- 
stance from the place of observation than Slieve- 
Donard, when this latter mountain cannot be dis- 
tinguished but with a glass ; this, if correct, which 
I do not assert to be so, is a certain proof of the su- 
perior elevation of the Armagh mountain ; snow 
will remain for months on this, after the former has 
resumed its verdure, but this is certainly no proof 
of greater height, as the saline particles will natu- 
rally dispel the snow. 

From Slieve-Guillien to the Fews, the country is 
bleak, wild, and hilly, and in many places may 
be truly termed mountainous, and, in this sense, 
may be considered as connected to the Fews by the 
chain of abrupt hills from Forkhill to Crossmaglin ; 
but by being more lofty, it of course displays more 
of the nature of primitive mountain, and we can 
safely pronounce the greater part of it can never 
be brought into cultivation, but must eternally re- 
main in its natural sterility. 

Yet 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 35 

Yet in these wild and romantic scenes, there is 
something very interesting, awful, and grateful to 
our senses, elevating the inquisitive mind, and in- 
spiring a strong desire to explore their inmost re- 
cesses, and an anxiety to become familiar with so 
sublime a solitude. 

It requires but little attention to its examination, 
to pronounce Slieve-Gullien under that description, 
which naturalists term primitive mountain, or of 
that kind which possesses a majestic eminence, and 
covers so immense an area, as to date the origin as 
certainly antediluvian. These properties are emi- 
nently attached to this celebrated mountain ; its 
contiguity to the neighbouring chain of the lofty 
Mourne mountains, its connexion with those of 
the Fews, which have so vast an area, and more 
particularly the nature of its soil, all concur to 
rank it under the distinction of primitive mountain : 
here we see no rounded pebbles, sand, or marine par- 
ticles, no accumulation of foreign substances, ex- 
cept probably they may be at the base, which does 
not contradict the assertion. 

Rocks, caverns, glyns, from a bold ascent, are 
the features of the summit of the mountain, with- 
out the smallest appearance of any calcareous mat- 
ter ; and although there have not hitherto been any 
minerals discovered here, yet there is a strong pro- 
bability of their existence, from the metallic tinge 

D 2 of 



36 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

of the waters, which burst from its sides, and ooze 
in plentiful discharges in times of the greatest 
drought. 

The granite argillite, which generally indicates 
a metallic district, and is peculiar to primitive moun- 
tain, is found here, and also a brown freestone de- 
cayed on the surface, where the torrents have de- 
nuded the rock and carried off the soil ; mica and 
feltspar, in small quantities, are frequently inter- 
mixed with the fossil. 

The general character of the soil is deep and 
boggy, yet firm in the surface, highly antiseptic, 
and covered thickly with heath ; the substratum, 
a loose, decayed, brown freestone gravel, pretty 
regular, except when sudden torrents or subterra- 
neous waters have discomposed it j in general their 
strata are of equal thickness and lie in parallel di- 
rections. 

The plain, from whence the ascent of Sheve-Guil- 
lien commences, until the summit is gained, is, pro- 
perly speaking, from the valle} r , wherein the town 
of Newry stands ; and in support of what I have al- 
ready surmised as tending to confirm its primitive 
claim, it is from hence also, that the ascent is 
gradual to the Mourne mountains on the eastern 
extreme ; nor is it a very distant period since all 
the lands around Newry, excepting only the town 
parks, exhibited a wild and uncultivated waste, 

yielding 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 37 

yielding spontaneously nothing but heath, coarse 
grass, and mountain plants. This valley forms an ob- 
tuse angle with these two ranges of mountain, and is 
above four miles distant in gradual ^ascent, until 
the acknowledged base of Slieve-Guillien is arrived 
at, where the region around fully corresponds with 
our ideas of wild and awful scenery. 

From this base, the ascent is tedious, in some 
parts very steep and abrupt, and above two miles 
distant from the summit. Before the main point 
is gained, another pinnacle, which very much re- 
sembles it, is presented to view; from hence to 
the main point is a range of elevated ground in a 
circular direction, serving as a barrier to a small am- 
phitheatre, within which is a lake of tolerably good 
water ; its shore clearly proves, that it is subject to 
swells of some feet perpendicular height above the 
usual level. We cannot conceive, that such great 
floods could be soon occasioned by the rain water 3 
which may fall on the small portion of surface, that 
is above the level of this lake, and it is a matter 
of curiosity, how they are supplied :|there is> redun- 
dancy of water-courses towards Camlough lake, 
which is at the foot of Slieve-Guillien, and is the 
reservoir of that stream, which works so many 
mills in the vicinity of Newry, as will be more par- 
ticularly detailed in the thirteenth chapter, fifth 
section. 

The 



38 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

The pinnacle, or capital pofnt of Slieve-Guillien 
is a cairn of stones, which form the roof of a ca- 
vern, that, at first view, appears to be natural, 
but on minute examination has very evident testimo- 
nies of the work of art ; perhaps it is indebted to 
both for its appearance. 

The cairn is rather convex at top ; in the cen- 
tre is the mouth of the cavern ; the roof is formed 
by large flat stones, regularly placed to support the 
incumbent weight, and in the descent lapped over 
each other with a sufficient bearing. I have been 
told that within is a specious apartment, and that, 
but a few years ago, it was easily entered ; but 
now there are such huge blocks rolled in, and the 
entrance is so very narrow, that they could not be 
removed but by mechanic powers. From the mouth 
of the cave there extends a wide and regular range 
of flagging to the edge of the lake, evidently the 
work of hands ; it is said by the peasants in this 
district to be the roof of a covered passage, but 
this seems very improbable, as the soil here is a 
deep wet bog, which could not bear an excavation 
to support so great a weight as these flags must 
have ; it rather appears to have been a dry passage 
outside from the cave to the lake, though, indeed, 
the magnitude of the stones, and the same kind 
not being found in other parts of the mountain, 
render it vrey improbable that they should be car- 
ried 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 39 

ried up this long and steep way for any secon- 
dary or immaterial purpose. There is no doubt, 
but this cavern and others, which are in the same- 
district, were once the abode of robbers, who plun- 
dered the surrounding country, and long evaded 
the military by their retreats and concealments in 
those formidable places ; nor was it until barracks 
were erected in the heart of the country, and re- 
gular troops constantly stationed, that they could 
be driven from the caverns ; many of them paid 
the forfeit of their lives for their offences, and their 
caves will long be remembered as the retreat of the 
celebrated O'Hanlon,* who was long the scourge 
and terror both of farmers and travellers, who were 
met in those solitary wilds. 

Whatever were the original purposes, for which 
our pagan ancestors had piled these great heaps of 
stones, called cairns, they can only be conjectured, 
as we have no authentic tradition of their design. 
It seems generally allowed, that they are the most 
ancient relicks in existence, and were long prior to 
those formed of earth, or earth and stones, which 
were constructed as man became less savage; and 
that, long subsequent to both, buildings of lime and 

stone 

* This robber was said to have been a lineal descendant 
of the O'Hanlons, who were originally the lords of this 
county, which he used to alledge as a right to his rapaci- 
ous demands. 



40 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

stone were erected, which strongly mark the pro- 
gress of civilization. That these cairns were in- 
tended as places of worship, which lias been sup- 
posed, wants confirmation ; it is, however, more 
certain they were appropriated as sepulchres, but 
there is no determination that this was their original 
purpose; perhaps they might have been appro- 
priated to both, so naturally does a religious awe 
alike accompany the place of worship and the tomb : 
the devotion of the people to their departed bards 
or druids, as well as to their kings and heroes, 
"was as sacred, and held as indispensibly necessary a 
point of duty, as their addresses to their god, nor 
was the altar of Baal esteemed more sacred than 
the sepulchre. 

These cairns are always composed of the natural 
stone of the district where they stand ; their ori- 
ginal formation, we are told, was conical, and that 
the apex was covered with a flat stone. 

Some writers have been of opinion, that they 
were places of justice or tribunals ; others have 
asserted, that they were the places of. election, 
whereon the chief stood who was to be chosen their 
leader ; and again it is stated, they were monu- 
ments of sacred covenants ; perhaps, whatever was 
desirable to have been commemorated, was distin- 
guished by a heap of stones, or a mound of earth, 
which was the most durable mode in that early age. 

In 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 41 

In many of those cairns, human bones, and clay or 
stone urns have been found, after removing the 
stones, an incontestable proof of their uses as se- 
pulchres ; this description of cairns are most com- 
monly the artificial green mounds, which are but 
a heap of stones sodded over ; but there are also 
many instances of these mounds having been opened 
and searched to the bottom, where nothing ap- 
peared to warrant an opinion of their purposes as 
sepulchres. The cairn on the summit of Slieve- 
Guillien seems as if it was never sodded, and a si- 
milar one of stones, heaped in a conical pile, crowns 
the lesser pinnacle, which lies below the principal 
one. 

Some writers have confounded cairns and crom- 
lechs* under the same denomination, but these on- 
ly require to be seen to convince us they were for 
distinct purposes : it is certain they served as altars, 
as well as sepulchres ; a narrow channel was made 
in the slab for the blood of the victim to flow when 
they offered sacrifice, and from which the druids 
or priests took their auguries. Druidical temples 
are those low oblong mounds of earth, which nar- 
row to either end, and seem to swell to the centre, 
inclosed with huge stones set on an end, and with- 
in 

* Druidical temples and great sepulchral stones are term- 
ed crom-techs. 



4* STATISTICAL SURVEY 

in this is frequently seen the cromlech or altar 
for sacrifice ; some account, accompanied with a 
drawing, of a very remarkable one near Newry 
will be given in the thirteenth chapter, fifth section. 
From the many invincible obstacles to its being 
ever reclaimed, Slieve-Guillien is only to be ad^ 
jnired for its natural beauty ; it covers a great and 
extensive area, and is the estate of several proprior 
tors, though not a shilling of rent is paid for any 
part of it, being enjoyed in common by the peasants, 
who live in. thi vicinity. Perhaps, a bolder pros- 
pect is not presented in ou island thai) from it* 
summit, comprising a great extent of country ; the 
lakes and streams, the several towns and well-cul* 
tivated demesnes, together with the bay of Dun- 
dalk, where the declivity -is terminated ; these, 
with a thousand other natural 1 beauties which are 
presented to view, will repay the fatigue of the 
ascent, and an awful and impressive pleasure is 
afforded in contemplating the bold promontories 
and rugged cliffs bared by the tempests, and arrest- 
ing the floating meteors, affording ample resources 
for the contemplative philosopher. Very fully as 
this celebrated mountain possesses those pleasing and 
awful views, yet these natural beauties are con- 
fined to this district, or just adjoining in the vici- 
nity of the Doobrin mountains and Forkhill, where 
some majestic rocky prominencies, and other bold 

and 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 4$ 

and interesting scenery, correspond so fully with 
the sublimity of those we have described : though 
this county is, for a considerable part, inclosed nearly 
with a belt of mountains, yet they have too great 
a sameness and want of variety to engage admira- 
tion, but they possess a soil, which is capable of 
being rendered highly fertile. 

The Fews mountains are an extensive range of 
this description, running from south-east to north- 
west, where numerous herds of young cattle are 
reared, the soil being much inclined to grass, which 
is less coarse than is usually met on mountain ground: 
though this is highly stocked, yet they have always 
a full pasture, and the cattle are never foddered 
but perhaps for a few days in a lasting snow, and ia 
open winters not at all. This is the only part of the 
county where grass farms are large and extensive ; 
very little care and labour will prepare the soil 
for successful tillage, as is evinced by the large 
haggards, which are filled with a small portion of 
this reclaimed land : a slender capital in the hands 
of an industrious farmer has produced extraordinary 
improvements ; an attention to draining only is re- 
quired as the preliminary step, and the manure of 
lime insures a high fertilization. 

The great population in the most improved parts 
of Armagh, and the limited size of farms, accounts 
for the small proportion of pasturage; in these 
mountains, where the inhabitants are fewer, and 

less 



44 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

less engaged in manufacture, the tillage farms also 
are considerably larger ; their produce is principally 
oats and potatoes, which there is a steady demand 
for in Newry market: the farmers of this district 
also cultivate more flax than they manufacture, and 
the redundancy is sold in the neighbouring towns. 

These mountains, though more remote from the 
sea coast than Slieve-Guillien, yet never retain the 
snow for so long a period, nor are they so re- 
tentive of water ; for the rain runs in natural chan- 
nels along the surface till it finds the valley, and 
is there discharged into a stream : heath is much 
less found on these hills, but whins, fern, and those, 
plants, which flourish in a, warm soil, are in abun- 
dance. It is very probable, that valuable minerals 
are within these mountains, of which there are se- 
veral indications ; in the inferior minerals it par- 
ticularly abounds, for in the banks of the streams, 
which flow from hence, we see rich ores, potter's 
clay, soapy earth, and manganese, the latter so 
good, as to be reputed by the potters to be in 
no wise inferior to the best which is imported : a 
substance resembling chalk is frequently found, but 
it does not possess any calcareous quality. Iron- 
stone is also met, and is of that sort, which gene- 
rally constitutes the roof of coal mines ; in the 
streams are reddish flints, and iron-stone of the same 
colour, 

M 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 4; 

As to valuable fossils I do not learn there has been 
any trial made, but there are good appearances of 
slate quarries in several places ; and, here, heath is 
more prolific than elsewhere in the Fews moun- 
tains ; whenever lime is applied it effectually de- 
stroys this plant. 

In some of these hills we find a moory soil co- 
vering a slat}'' subsoil ; this has no appearance of 
solid quarry, but is a compound of loose, brownish, 
and decayed particles. 

The south side of these hills has often a porous 
argillite soil, and reddish ; this, when covered over 
with a small quantity of lime, is peculiarly fertile, 
and yields excellent crops of oats. The valleys 
have a very rich soil of various depths, and are 
always grassy : the overflowing of the streams gives 
the best manure, nor is any other ever applied; 
black vegetable mould is the superficial stratum, 
but is shallow ; this is not a little extraordinary, for, 
on examining the higher grounds, from w r hence the 
superficial water flows over the valleys, there is 
no appearance of this soil, though we should ima- 
gine it was carried down with the floods and sub- 
sided on these level places. 

In several spots, red clover spontaneously grows, 
though the farmers deny, that any grasses either 
natural or artificial have ever been sowed. 

Sm ■ 



\6 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

Such is the general description of these moun- 
tains ; perhaps, there is not any uncultivated range 
in this island, where capital could be more suc- 
cessfully employed, or a more rapid return in- 
sured. 



Woods. 

Though Armagh possesses a sufficiency of wood for 
ornament, yet it is by no means a well wooded 
country. The full-grown timber, which yet re- 
mains, is principally confined to demesnes. 

The population is so great, the linen manufac- 
ture so universally engaged in, and land in such 
request, that every spot in all but the mountainous 
districts is employed in tillage and pasture for milch 
cows, so great a supply of food is necessarily rais- 
ed for the inhabitants. This may in a great mea- 
sure account for this defect, if it merits that appel- 
lation ; but a fine soil, as in the interior, under judi- 
cious culture, and supporting a numerous and in- 
dustrious people, is surely more profitably occu- 
pied, both for the nation at large and the proprie- 
tor of the land, than in the growing of timber. 
It was doubtless a mistaken policy to reserve none 
of the woods, and to oblige tenants to clear all 
away, as appears in the old leases, many of which 

yet 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 47 

yet exist : some mountainous land, which yields but 
a trifling rent or none at all, might else be in the 
most vigorous oak forest, and by judicious cutting 
and copsing would be a lasting and valuable pro- 
perty to the proprietor ; but, unfortunately, this 
mistaken zeal for improvement was carried here to 
an excess, and the tenant fulfilled his contract, if 
he levelled the timber, which he had no demand 
for ; no great works, which required furnaces, were 
ever attempted here, so that this great fall of tim- 
ber lay useless ; much went to decay, and much 
of it is yet found very near the surface. I have 
seen a letter from a farmer to his landlord, written 
nearly 150* years ago, in which he says, he should 
have bad a hard bargain of his farm, if it had not 
been that a memorable storm, which happened at 
that time, had levelled an extensive forest and 
saved him the expence of cutting it. This farm was 

in 

* In times still more remote, we see the legislature paid 
a due attention to the preservation of woods ; for in the 
thirty-fifth of Henry the eighth, which is above 260 years 
past, a law was made, that any person, who should destroy 
any quantity of wood exceeding two acres, should be fined 
40s. per acre, for every acre so destroyed ; by destroying 
was meant, not copsing, or* converting the ground to the 
purposes of agriculture ; and in subsequent reigns, we find 
several laws for the preservation of woods ; but the laws of 
England, which relate to improvement, have been too slowly 
adopted by our legislature, which leaves us so far behind 
in this particular. 



48 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

in perpetuity, and is now a considerable property to 
bis descendants. 

The fossil-woods which are found are, oak, fir, 
yew, and holly ; the first is always in best preser- 
vation, and altered only in colour, which is a deep 
black : firs are more partially met, and though 
constantly soaking in water or in very moist soils, 
are extremely bituminous and inflammable ; holly 
and yew roots are found pretty deep in the marshes, 
and coast of Lough-Neagh, which are generally 
more or less petrified from that extraordinary pro- 
perty, which both the soil in the vicinity of this ce- 
lebrated lake as well as its waters are known to 
possess. 

If proprietors of waste or uncultivated lands were 
sensible of the value of plantation, we should not 
see so many naked soils ; many of these could not 
possibly be so profitably occupied, and land, which 
does not now yield five shillings per acre, would be 
soon made to produce, by judicious clearing, per- 
haps four or five times that amount, after deduct- 
ing the interest of the capital so employed : but 
this return, though certain, is slow, and requires 
capital, which can be the only reasons assigned for 
its not being generally adopted in such soils as I 
allude to. If useless commons and extensive tracts 
of waste were planted, we should less depend on 
foreign countries for our supply of timber, and a 

great 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 49 

great and encreasing revenue would be added to 
our finances. 

Oak woods are the most profitable, for although 
the timber does not arrive to full perfection in less 
than a century, yet from the great value of its bark 
in tanning, it comes much sooner into profit than 
any other tree. It has been asserted on good au- 
thority, that an oak wood cut and copsed every 
forty years will give the most profitable return. 

A thriving wood of this description and age, of 100 
acres, will be worth to the proprietor from 9,000/. 
to 10,000/. exclusive of the profit to the purchaser: 
let the value of this sum at simple interest be com- 
puted, and at no other periods of cutting will it be 
found to give so great a return : if this is again 
copsed and judiciously thinned and cleared, it will 
be worth from 20s. to 305. per acre, after all ex- 
pences, much above the average rental of any con- 
siderable landed property in Ireland. 

Nor in the business of tanning is the oak bark 
only used ; it is found to be an excellent dye-stuff, 
producing a fine brown colour, and, when mixed 
with copperas, gives a lasting and beautiful black. 

The superior strength and durability of the oak, 

in architecture and ship building, is so well known, 

as not to require any remark ; but, perhaps, there 

is no timber more liable to warp ; a very extraor- 

E dinarv 



$e STATISTICAL SURVEY 

♦dinary instance of this may be seen in Leap Castle*, 
near Birr in the King's county. 

Some 

* Leap Castle was the seat of the late Jonathan Darby, 
Esq. who ornamented this edifice, which is the family man- 
sion, and built two. very elegant wings in the same style of 
architecture with the castle. In order to preserve the an- 
tique appearance, the sashes of the windows, and the floors 
of the best apartments, were cut out of great oak beams, 
which had been supporting the principal story in the old 
castle, and had remained there since it was built, which 
must have been for some centuries, as Mr. Darby possessed 
some documents, which showed that the castle was repaired 
in Queen Elizabeth's reign, above 230 or 240 years ago ; 
yet, before the sashes and flooring were twelve months in 
use, the timber in the latter shrunk half an inch in four 
inch plank, though laid down and doubled with the greatest 
care, and it warped in the sashes, though counterlined 
with iron plates, and extremely well screwed together, 
insomuch as to force the iron, and bend it in the position 
of the warp, and to break the glasses to pieces. 

In strengh of materials, perhaps there is no greater 
proof of the superiority of this article. Should the eluci- 
dation of this extraordinary circumstance engage the at- 
tention of any ingenious person, it may assist the solution 
to acquaint him, that these beams had not previously been 
barked, as one side of the square had yet retained it, and 
was as hard and sound as the heart of the tree : the prin- 
cipal floor of the old castle, which these beams originally 
supported, had no windows, but spike-holes, which had 
long since been stopped up, and thus became a complete 
dungeon : the walls of this building were also extremely 
gross ; one of them, about the centre of the castle, which was 

pierced 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 51 

Some oak trees in great perfection, of uncommon 
size and highly ornamental, are to be seen in the 
demesne grounds in this county. This tree, with 
its varieties and uses, will - be found in botanical 
tracts under the head of zluercus; in deep clay soils 
it grows to the greatest dimensions. * 

• The ash, (fraxinus) has the grossest dimensions, 
when in a deep rich soil ; the common species of this 
tree is the most useful; it becomes most valuable, 
when in clumps or plantations, and much quicker 
comes to perfection than in the open fields, because 
of the underwood, which brings a considerable in- 
come, and is fittest for cutting every seven years. This 
wood is the best of all for implements of husbandry, 
as being tough, hard, and very elastic. The bark 
of ash will tan delicate skins, but it is scarcely ever 
used in this process. This timber also grows to a 
great size, and is irregular in its surface, particularly 
so, when planted in hedge-rows and exposed to 
the weather : the ridges, which run longitudinally in 
the trunk, form a channel for the rain to descend ; 
where this is remarked by any change in the co- 

E 2 lour 



pierced for a large gothic window, which Mr. Darby in- 
troduced, was fourteen feet thick ; the apartment they were 
taken from was always remarked as being the warmest,. an4 
freeest from damp in the whole building. 



£ STATISTICAL SURVEY 

lour of the bark, that part of the tree is certainly 
rotted by the water, and it frequently pierces to the 
heart. Some ash trees will have their entire surface 
from root to branch with this columnar appear- 
ance, and will be perfectly sound ; by a particular 
attention to the colour of the bark, or a small fissure 
in the furrow, the decayed will be easily distin- 
guished from the sound timber.* Ash, which has 
grown in woods and best sheltered, is freeest from 
this defect. In thinning ash woods or plantations, 
great care should be taken not to leave the remain- 
ing trees too bare, or they will certainly rampike. 

It often occurs, even in small clumps, that in 
clearing away some misshapen trees, to shew a beau- 
tiful spreading ash to advantage, it has quickly after 
ram piked. 

The largest tree of this species in Ireland stands 
at Lea village, in the Queen's county, on the road 
side between Portarlington and Monasterevan, and 
is said to equal the girth of six horses 1 bodies. 

The 



* I lately saw a particular and invariable proof of this 
in many ash trees, cut in the county of Cavan, and in no 
one instance was the woodman, who pointed it out, mis- 
taken. 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. $t 

The mountain ash (sorbus) is a beautiful tree in 
ornamental plantation, but its timber is not so much 
esteemed, as being considerably lighter.* 

The beech (fagus). No tree is more easily raised, 
nor is any more beautiful in forest scenery ; yet it is 
surprising, that Gilpin denies its claim to a forest 
tree, and ranks it very inferior. It more justly may 
be said to vie with the oak in stateliness, and the 
spreading of its branches ; and the beautiful variety 
of hue in its leaves, through the autumn, is un- 
rivalled by the foliage of any tree. 

The beech delights in a high soil, and if calca- 
reous the better; it is also valuable as an under- 
wood, and can be transplanted after many years 
growth. 

As much injury is frequently done to the seed 
of this tree, when sown in the mast, it is more ad- 
viseable to seek for beech quicks in the woods, and 
remove them to the nursery. If raised in the seed- 
bed, they should remain two years prior to their 
removal to the nursery. 

The 

* It is a general principle, that the heavier the timber* 
so much the stronger is it, for which reason iht inost ex- 
perienced authorities now recommend barking the tree 
completely, particularly the oak, at least three years before 
it is cut down, which adds extremely to its weight and 
solidity. 



J4 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

The beech leaf is said to make the best pallisses 
for beds, and is preferable to straw. The timber is 
soft and used mostly in furniture ; its uses in bleach* 
mills are too well known to be particularly recited. 

From the beech-nut oil is extracted, and this 
is used as butter in some countries iu Asia. From 
this nut, it is also said, that a very good bread is 
made, first being carefully kiln-dried. 

The chesnut tree (castanea) ranks under this 
genus, and is only a species of beech, the second 
in its order. 

The dwarf chesnut (pumila) is the third and last 
of this species. 

The nuts of the chesnut-tree are also greedily 
sought for by swine and vermin, which is. a good 
objection to their being laid in drills in the seed- 
bed ; here they should remain two years, and four 
years at least in the nursery ; and if after the first 
year they are cut down, they shoot more vigorously, 
and thrive, considerably better. 

This tree delights in a dry and high soil; its 
•timber has so little toughness, that it is very unfit 
to support weights, but it has the property of never 
shrinking, and from the nut it is well known that 
bread can be made. 

The sycamore or maple tree {acer) is denied tp 
be indigenous to the British isles, and is said to be 
a native of Germany ; however it agrees with our 

soil ■ 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. ft 

soil extremely /well, and is frequently found in 
great vigour in demesne lands in this county. 

This exceeds all other timber for its uses in the 
beam of the beetling engine in the bleach-mill, as 
it never splinters, and need not be covered with 
horse-skin, which even beech requires for this pur- 
pose. In so great a manufacturing country, it 
must be ever in high estimation, and a beam ten 
feet and a half long, and eighteen inches in diameter, 
is of treble the value of any timber of the same di- 
mensions. 

This tree, when tapped,* yields a saccharine juice, 
from whence a wholesome wine is made. Its wood 
is superior to any other for turning, and is valuable 
for inlaying ; as an underwood for fuel it is more 
desirable, by its very rapid growth. 

The leaves of this tree become ragged and full 
of holes, by means of an insect, which greedily 
destroys its beauty in ornamental grounds. 

If this tree be well weeded in the seed-bed, whose 
soil is common mould, it will shoot twenty inches 
in twelve months, if sowed in autumn ; it should 
remain in the seminary but eighteen months, and 
ought then to be removed to the nursery ; it can 
be also propagated by layers, graftings, and cut- 
tings, and is generally esteemed as one of our 
hardiest trees. 

The layers may be laid at any time of the year, 
and will strike root 'in three months. Cuttings 

should 



56 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

should be of the last shoot, and the thick part put 
in the ground ; they require great attention to wa- 
tering, and should be made before the autumn is 
far advanced. 

The lime tree (tilia) is not generally esteemed as 
good timber for uses out of doors ; but I have seen 
gates and gateposts of it, of many years standing, ancl 
in great preservation. I could not learn of what di- 
mensions the timber was when cut, or the season in 
which it was felled. It is a soft wood, useful in inlay- 
ing, turning, and carving ; of the outer bark ropes are 
made, which are said not to decay by damp, and the 
inner rind is so pliable and tough, that neat and 
very durable mats are made of it. 

The fir tree (pinns) has no less a variety than twelve 
different species, most of which are found in vigour in 
this country. The Scotch fir is planted most com- 
monly ; not only for beauty, as an evergreen, and ra- 
pidity of growth, but it is also valuable as a nurse by 
its shelter to young deciduous trees; its timber is 
esteemed excellent in outside work when painted, but 
it decays quickly in a damp situation as in roofing*. 
This tree, when standing in hedge-rows or in 
fields, loses all that beautiful effect it possesses 
in plantations. The contrast of its shade, as it 
waves with the breeze, is very pleasing in the fo- 
rest, 

* I not long *ince saw a capital and extensive concern 
roofed with this timber, and the rafters of uncommon dimen- 
sions, yet in fifteen years they were completely rotted, though 
the slating was always in the best repair. 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 57 

rest, where the ground is of an undulatory surface, 
or covering the face of a hill, and nothing seen 
but the green branches ; in this point of view, when 
full grown, it is only to be admired as ornamental 
timber. 

The larch, whose value has been until lately little 
known, and is now so universally a favourite, both as 
a profitable and ornamental tree, is indigenous in 
America and Asia, though it has thriven here with 
great success. In masts of ships it is preferable to other 
timber ; nor is it less valuable in building ships of war ? 
as it does not splinter, and has the peculiar virtue of 
resisting the worm. It is also preferred in house-build- 
ing, in beams, lintels, &c. : it thrives in a dry soil, and 
which has been condemned so sterile, as not to be 
worth the culture, so that there is no tree more 
hardy, or better calculated to protect more tender 
plants : the tops of the larch very early get an in- 
clination from that point, where storms mostly pre- 
vail, but this does not hurt their growth, which 
will sometimes arrive at fifty or sixty feet. It pro- 
duces cones, which hold the seed, and there is but 
little trouble in their culture. Its uses are numerous 
and increasing in proportion with its demand, so 
that we may expect to have other discoveries of 
its value, in addition to those we already are in 
possession of. 

The silver fir and the balm of gilead, are only 
ornamental in a low plantation ; they become very 

ragged 



$S STATISTICAL SURVEY 

ragged, as they get up, and do not thrive after a 
certain growth. Of these two species the silver 
fir is considerably the most hardy, and thrives in a 
rich earth ; the balm of gilead will only thrive in 
a good mould, or a deep sandy soil. 

The Weymouth pine (strobus) is very beautiful ; 
though planters agree that it thrives in most soils, 
even in slaty, stony, and stiff clays, yet it does not 
seem to flourish in this county ; this pine may be 
'transplanted at a very great height with safety, if it 
has been carefully attended to in the nursery. 

The seed of all pines is found in cones, and by 
keeping those close and free from damp, they will 
be sound for several years. The seed is sown in 
March. 

From the fir-tree, and the varieties of its genus, 
is extracted that viscous substance turpentine, which 
is valuable for its resinous and unctuous uses, and 
can be extracted by tapping the tree, as well as by 
its own spontaneous discharge. 

The elm tree (ulmus) has a variety of species, one 
of which only, the common elm, is indigenous ; the 
timber is always best in a stiff adhesive soil, though 
not of the most rapid growth ; when it springs quick- 
ly it is very light, and not esteemed ; it is cultivated 
from suckers, and also from layers. 

The heart of this wood is very heavy and close, 
and extreniely hard, for which reason it is pecu- 
liarly 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 59 
liarly useful in conveying water from reservoirs, 
and of this timber are all the pipes made, through 
which the water is conveyed from the bason to the 
several streets of the city of Dublin : for the same 
reason, it is preferred for the naves of carriage 
wheels, no timber being equal to it for this pur- 
pose. 

The elm is also very beautiful in plantation, and 
is a tree peculiarly deserving our attention, both 
as ornamental and useful. 

Of the walnut-tree {juglans) there are five species, 
the common kind being the best both for fruit and 
variety of veins and shade in the timber : it thrives in 
greatest vigour in rich garden moulds, though there 
is no soil, in which it will not grow: its culture is from 
the nut, which should be sown early in spring, having 
been kept dry in thehusk; it is not to be removed to 
the nursery for two years ; when the nuts are gathered 
for sowing, they should be spread out on a dry loft, 
but not heaped , because then they heat and sweat 
throwing off the husk, which should not by any 
means be removed. The fruit of this tree also 
makes a good pickle, and from it a valuable oil 
is extracted. 

The timber is capable of taking a good polish, if 
cut in winter, and improves by age ; in plank only 
it is desirable, as in small scantling it is brittle and 
weak j for this reason it is better adapted for tables 

than 



&> STATISTICAL SURVEY 

than chairs ; it is much esteemed in farm-house fur- 
niture, and particularly so in the stocks of guns 
and pistols ; the most knotty is the most valuable 
to inlay ers. 

Few trees are more irregularly beautiful in its 
branching than the walnut, or afford a closer shel- 
ter : its leaves are esteemed useful in dyeing. 

The cherry-tree (primus) has a great variety 
in its species, and is particularly esteemed for its 
fruit, though formerly it was cultivated very 
much for its timber, of which the best furniture 
was composed, improving in beauty with age, 
and by constant unctuous application, as cream, 
oil, &c. Many old pieces of this furniture are fully 
equal to mohogany, though they are very rarely 
met with, since the importation of the latter wood; 
it is now greatly neglected, and few people have 
the knowledge of polishing or preserving it. 
Whether we admire this tree for its wholesome 
fruit, or its variegated timber, for its delightful 
blossom in the spring, or luxuriance and variety of 
colour in full bearing, we must allow it claims our 
best attention. It delights in rich garden soils, 
which have been well manured, and distils a clear 
gum. Its usual culture is from the stone of its fruit; 
but to produce the best fruit it must be grafted, 
and it is recommended that the old stock shall be 
the wild cherry-tree. 

The 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 61 

The sallow, or willow-tree, (salix) has a variety of 
species, but confined with us principally to three 
kinds, the sallow, the willow, and the osier. The first 
has a very different texture from the other two, its 
branches being brittle, and never arriving to that stan- 
dard, which merits the title of a forest-tree ; it will 
however yield poles and fire-wood ; its timber is light 
and is used by inlayers, but it is only good when 
it grows in a dry soil. 

The willow is particularly useful for baskets, 
and is also highly ornamental near a sheet of water, 
particularly the weeping-willow, which also in plan- 
tations is so beautiful and pleasing under the shade 
of a lofty tree. The stately Virginia, or black 
birch, would here form a fine contrast. The wil- 
low delights in a moist soil, as does the osier, which 
is so valuable for hoops and basket-makers' use. A 
o-ood osiery, which is carefully attended 3 and the 
soil'perhaps not capable of any other culture, as in 
low moist bottoms, marshes, and small tracts of 
island, subject to floods, will return every three 
years to the value of 60/. per acre. I have seen an 
osiery in the vicinity of a good trading town, 
which was fully equal to this, or 20l. per acre per 
annum. • 

The salix is therefore considered of the aqueous 

tribe, but every species of it will grow on upland. 

\ as 



62 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

as well as in moist or watery soils : when allowed 
to run in standards, it has a most rapid growth ; 
when set in cuttings, it soon forms a thick fence, 
and is exceedingly ornamental if plaited in net 
meshes, as it gets up, enclosing screens or plan- 
tations ; its branches being so tough are very fit 
for this purpose, and it becomes, in a year or two, 
an impenetrable fence: if the shoots are nipped, it 
throws all the growth in the swell of the stake. In 
this neat fence, the red and golden osier form a 
beautiful contrast, and should be planted alter- 
nately. 

The poplar-tree (populus) is of little estimation for 
jts timber ; the black poplar is the most useful, 
and sometimes used in inside work ; it is also fit 
for the manufacture of lasts and patterls. 

The poplar forms the most beautiful scenery of 
all other aqueous trees, and is extremely rapid in its 
growth. 

The aspen-tree (tremula from the tremulous mo- 
tion of its leaves) is of the poplar kind, and is very 
hardy, growing in almost every soil. 

The poplar and its varieties may be propagated 
from cuttings, and also from layers and suckers; 
the latter mode is now preferred, and it is trans- 
planted early in autumn, when the leaves decay. 

The 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 63 

The bark has the property of tanning leather, but 
is by no means so astringent as the oak, or even the 
birch bark; it is also esteemed by dyers, and im- 
parts both a fine yellow and a variety of light drabs : 
the former is from the Italian, the' latter from the 
black, white, and virginian poplars* 

The birch-tree (be tula) has a variety of spe- 
cies, from a very humble to a majestic growth ; 
it will thrive in a poor, shallow, or chilly moun- 
tainous soil, or in a rich calcareous gravel; 
turners, hoop-makers, cart and heel-makers use 
its timber, and its branches are slender and make 
the most durable brooms; but it is particu- 
larly valuable for its bark, whose astringent prin- 
ciple ranks next to that of the oak, and is esteemed 
in northern climates as incorruptible : the inner 
rind of the birch is of an inflammable nature, which, 
when twisted together, makes good torches. This 
tree is very juicy, and, when tapped, will distil a sac- 
charine substance, which is said to correct a scor- 
butic habit; of the timber can be made most ex- 
cellent charcoal. 

The birch is highly beautiful in plantations > by 
the contrast of its silver bark, and almost purple 
branches, and it forms a good screen to; protect 
less hardy plants: It is propagated from layers, or 
from seed ; if from the latter j it- must be carefully 

weeded 



64 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

weeded, and watered in dry seasons ; and a due 
attention paid to earthing up, after being put 
in the nursery, which should not be till two years 
old. 

The alder-tree (alnus) is also of the species of be- 
tula ; it thrives best in low and marshy soils, is an 
aqueous tree, and is said to injure any soil it grows 
in, by making it rotten, wet, and rendering the 
pasture poisonous ; its bark is particularly useful 
for dyeing a high red colour, which with copperas 
makes a lasting black ; the bark is also medicinal, 
highly astringent, and is used successfully in fevers 
and agues -> it is also a strong purgative, when given 
to cattle. The timber is sometimes used for pipes, 
to convey water under ground, as it long resists 
decay ; a range of these trees, at proper distances 
and allowed to furnish a full head, is highly orna- 
mental. 

The general properties of the betula are bitu- 
minous, warm, and astringent in its bark. A fun- 
gus proceeding from this tree, when burnt and pow- 
dered, is a good styptic. Its leaves are medi- 
cinal in the dropsy, and wine is made by ferment- 
ing the saccharine juice, which it yields, when 
tapped. 

Of the holly - tree {ilex) the most common 
species, the aquifolium, thrives best in this country, 

is 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 65 

is frequently seen in shrubberies and sometimes 
grows naturally to a great size. It has a variety 
of species, and forms a beautiful effect in the win- 
ter season, interrupted with other evergreens, and 
bears a red berry. The wood is white, is used 
in fineering, and is close and hard as to be with 
difficulty discerned from ebony, when stained black 
and finely polished. This tree is excellent in 
fences, and ought to be transplanted in the spring, 
delighting in a cold and moist soil, but the plants 
must be young or they will not thrive. 

This plant is raised from the berry, should not 
be removed to the nursery till after two years, and 
requires much attentive weeding and watering; it 
should not be suffered to remain longer than two 
years in the nursery until transplanted. 

It frequently misses on transplanting, for which 
reason two or more plants should be put down 
where it is intended one should thrive. 

It is remarked that the holly-berry never shoots, 
till after a full year in the ground, nor is it put in 
the seed-bed till the shoot appears ; a heap of these 
terries should be buried like the haw of the white 
thorn in autumn ; after twelve months, they should 
be put in the seed-bed and raised like quicks. 

They require moulding and much care, and must 

have a well sheltered and warm aspect. JTrom the 

f hciiy- 



STATISTICAL SURVEY 

holly-bark possessing so much of a glutinous pro- 
perty, the best bird-lime is also made. 

The hazel ( corylus ) is an excellent plant for 
thickening coppices, and is propagated both from 
the nut, cuttings, and layers; it will thrive in 
any soil or situation, and is valuable for hoops, 
hurdles, and handles of farming utensils, but 
particularly so for the nuts, which are esteemed 
agreeable to the palate, and very mild, though 
possessing an oil, which is in great reputation with 
painters, and next in value to almond oil. As a 
shrub, the hazel cannot be called beautiful on close 
examination, but has a good etfect at a distance, 
thickening a copse so rapidly as to give a very 
woody appearance. 

There are tw r o species of the hazel j they are 
both equally hardy and of rapid growth. 

Theliburnum, or trefoil-tree [cytisus), though only 
cultivated by us for ornament, is yet a fine timber-tree, 
and will grow to a large size in exposed situations, 
and in any common soil ; the wood is extremely bard, 
and useful to inlayers, and is very valuable in furni- 
ture, taking a high polish ; it is propagated from the 
seed, and requires weeding between the plants. The 
beautiful bright yellow flowers, which hang in 
clusters, form a pleasing variety in the spring, and 
the regular unison of the oval leaves, growing in 

threes, 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 67 

threes , is peculiarly neat, and from thence it is called 
the trefoil-tree. 

This must ever be a favourite in shrubberies, and 
demesne grounds, for the elegant formation of its 
leaves and flowers, and their pleasing and enliven- 
ing contrast. 

The foregoing are the principal trees, which are 
found in this county, and several varieties of these 
species are also partially distributed in shrubberies 
and plantations. 

To encourage their culture in the mountainous 
parts is the principal desideratum, and this can be 
done at a very moderate expence, ensuring a cer- 
tain profit. 

la the brief sketch I have given of the soil and 
situation, in which each different species will flourish, 
I have consulted the best planters, and the agree- 
ment of authentic authorities on this head is the best 
proof of their correctness. 

If the rearing of trees, and their management 
and culture is so well deserving a close application, 
it is certainly no less a matter of moment to 
acquire a knowledge of the proper seasons and 
ages when those trees are ripe for the axe, as all 
the former care bestowed on them is conducive to 
this purpose, ornament being only a secondary con- 
sideration. Without a due attention to this par- 
ticular the best timber may be materially injured; 

f 2 for, 



68 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

for, its excellence is dependant on the time of fel- 
ling, as much as on the choice of aspect, and the 
soil in which it was reared. 

As the timber, which retains the sap the longest, 
is most liable to decay, it is therefore reasonable 
to conclude, that it should be felled when it possesses 
least sap, or in the close of the autumn ; but as 
oak bark will strip only in the summer, this tree 
is felled at that time, which is a material injury to 
the timber, both as to quantity and quality ; the 
exterior coat of the oak, after the bark is stripped, 
is called the sap, and is that part, through which 
vegetation is conveyed to the branches ; this sap 
or juice, being in full vigour in spring, will of course 
penetrate deeper in the tree than at any other pe- 
riod, when vegetation is exhausted or dormant, 
until the returning season ; and as this coat of sap 
is always cut away before the tree is sawed up, of 
course there is much loss of timber ; for, that sub- 
stance, which was sap in spring, becomes actual 
timber in winter ; so far it appears, there is a loss 
in quantity, and, as to quality of timber, it is well 
known, that the oak is considerably more durable, 
close, hard, and its specific gravity materially en- 
creased when cut in winter, as all handicrafts assert 
who work it up, than at any other season of the 
year. It becomes a desirable matter to enquire 
and find, how the bark can be saved, and the 

timber 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 69 

timber also preserved in the best state, and it can 
be very easily accomplished by barking the tree, 
as it stands, from the root up to the gross branches 
in the summer, sawing off the head, and saving 
the small or boxing bark in the usual way, and by 
letting the naked trunk remain two "or three sea- 
sons longer, where it will dry more rapidly than 
if felled ; by taking off the bark, vegetation is 
stopped, and no more sap springs ; the timber thus 
acquires considerable weight, for, it is a well known 
maxim, that the strength of materials must depend 
on their weight, or, in other words, that the 
heaviest timber will be able to support the great- 
est weight. 

If this process is most judicious in managing the 
oak before it is felled, how much more readily will 
it apply to other timber, when the bark is not re- 
quired to be stripped ? In other cases, when the 
bark need not be saved, it need only be cut through 
around the tree, and it may or may not be headed, 
as convenience may require ; for, the perfect sepa- 
ration of the bark prevents vegetation, and cuts off 
the sap, which is only necessary, and all timber is 
thus greatly increased in weight and quality. 

I have seen this method accidentally tried on fir^ 
deal, in which there is so great a quantity of sap, 
and the same effects followed ; a tree had been be- 
gun to be cut by a tenant, whose landlord stopped 

the 



70 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

the felling before it was nicked around above an inch 
deep in the timber, and it remained in that state 
above two years; when it was felled, it had no 
sap, and even the bark was nearly as hard as any 
other part. 

Another matter worthy of notice in the felling of 
timber is the knowledge of the age of trees, or at 
what age thev arrive at vigour. An oak is said not 
to come to perfection until it is 100 years old, and 
that it will hold its vigour for probably some cen- 
turies more, before it begins to decay ; but, in 
the comparatively short period of human life, this 
must ever be undetermined, and is not a matter of 
moment to enquire ; but it is agreed, that oak 
ought not to be cut for gross uses under fifty or 
sixty years standing. 

An ash has nothing like so long a period ; it would 
be a rare matter, and must only happen from some 
fortuitous circumstance, which has not a tendency 
to decay, or perhaps it is already rotted to the heart. 
The proper period of the maturity of other timber 
is within our knowledge. 

Connecting the observations respecting the pro- 
per age of timber, when ripe for the axe, and the 
due season for cutting it, I shall state the following 
experiment, which will be found to apply more 
or less to every species of tree. 

let 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 71 

Let a cross cut be made in a deal tree, in the 
spring season, which will measure in diameter twelve 
inches, we will find that the coat of bark, or sap, 
equals the third part of the diameter, or four inches. 
Let the process of nicking the bark be performed 
at the same time on another tree, of equal dimen- 
sions, of the same age, and in the same plantation, 
which shall be suffered to remain standing the re- 
quired time, and we shall find that one third 
nearly of the quantity of timber is added ; the 
sap becoming in two or three seasons equal to the 
heart ; thus eight inches of solid timber areencreased 
to twelve ; and another most material observation 
is, that by this means a tree can be felled, of a third 
space less growth, to the same advantage, as a tree 
of so much longer standing ; or that a tree, thirty 
years old, can be cut after this process, to the 
same profit as a tree forty -five years old, after the 
usual manner. 

Timber will sooner or later arrive at perfection, 
according to the quality of the soil, and the tem- 
perature of the climate ; as most forest trees are 
indigenous, or will be naturalized to our climate, 
it only rests for us to make choice of a proper soil 
and situation for their culture. 

Bog 



7* STATISTICAL SURVEY 

Bog and Moor, 



Much has been written, and various have been 
the opinions on the original formation of bog. Al- 
though, by attaining the knowledge of this subject, 
it might be more easy to apply a remedy for the 
reclaiming of this soil, it is enough for us in this li- 
mited tract to consider, from actual experiments, 
and the evidence deduced from thence, what are 
the best modes of applying these tracts to profit, 
which have for many ages remained in a state of 
waste and utter neglect. It is first necessary to en- 
quire into the actual quantity of bog, and the uses, 
to which it is applied. 

The quantity of bog in Armagh county might 
be said to be equal to the demand for fuel for 
culinary purposes, if it was more impartially di- 
vided, but the case is otherwise ; rating the average 
cost of this fuel through the county, it is not less 
than one shilling and six pence per statute kish, 
or from two shillings and six pence to three shillings 
and sixpence per horse-load, including the expence 
of drawing ; in some seasons it is considerably dear- 
er : the bleach-mills consume an immense quantity, 
but in the vicinity where coals can be had they 
prefer this latter fuel, and will draw it home on 

better 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 7$ 

better terms at six miles distance, than they could 
lay in a supply of turf, even though the bog was 
at the door; this proves the extreme dearness of 
turf fuel. 

Considering the comparatively small area of Ar- 
magh with the great population, and the nume- 
rous and extensive bleach-greens where so much 
fuel is required, we cannot conceive there is a 
sufficiency of bog for the demand ; the want is 
already severely felt in many places ; the eastern 
district has the advantage of the navigation from 
Newry, by which sea-coal is conveyed ; and if 
the Tyrone collieries were worked with spirit, an 
abundance of fuel would be supplied from thence 
by the same conveyance. 

A very large tract of bog in the .northern part 
of the county, on the estate of William Brownlow, 
Esq. is in such demand, as to yield the occupy- 
ing tenant above 1000/. after paying the rent of 
above 700/. ; the price of turf fuel is even in this 
neighbourhood more than double the average cost 
of Leinster or Munster. 

However unequal may be the distribution of bog, 
it necessarily will be desirable to occupy that 
part in the uses of agriculture, which has been al- 
ready cut out. Drakiing is the first process, by 
which means the water is carried off, and the 
body of bog or soil naturally condensed ; this soli- 
dity 



74 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

dity may be rapidly encreased by quick-lime sprea^i 
on the surface ; limestone gravel, when it can be 
conveniently procured, is much more lasting, 
and should be ploughed into the surface. It 
; was universally agreed, before the auger came into 
use, that the main drain should be cut down to 
the gravel, if possible, to intercept the springs, in- 
tersecting the portion of bog which is intended to 
be reclaimed, and, according to the natural falls, 
that leading drains should be made into this prin- 
cipal one, but these also at a considerable width, 
and they should be always kept clear. 

If the surface is ploughed in frosty weather, after 
a season's draining, and calcareous manures mixed 
with the soil, it will soon destroy the non-putres- 
cent quality, and change it to a good vegetable 
mould. 

Paring the superficial sod, and burning it in 
heaps, produces a calcareous substance, that fa- 
vours vegetation ; but, though this will have the 
desired effect of ensuring a good crop, )-et it is 
not a lasting manure, and tends but little towards 
solidity. 

When bogs will bear the weight of cattle, which 
a short time will effect in draining, it quickly assists 
their density. 

Some bogs are so deep as to render the cutting to 
the gravel utterly impracticable, and may be drained 

at 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 75 

at a very trifling expence by Elkington's boring ap- 
paratus, on exactly the same principle as a pump- 
borer's anger. 

It very generally happens after piercing through 
several strata in bogs, we find at various depths a 
kind of blueish clay, through which water will not 
pass, it is so very tenacious ; this is called in Irish 
tac-leagh, and it is necessary it should be pierced, 
either for the purpose of carrying off the superfi- 
cial water, or for the discharge of the springs, which 
are underneath the stratum ; this I have performed 
with great success by the auger. 

When we meet what we term a shaking bog, or, 
as it is here provincially termed a qua, the lac4eagh 
is near the surface, and with the bog floats on the 
body of water underneath, which is the cause of 
its undulation ; thus, in a shallow soil, all the in- 
termediate layers or strata serve as a sponge to im- 
bibe the superficial w r ater, and retain it, nor can 
the under-water pass off tili this lac-leagh is cut 
through. 

I would commence with this mode in reclaiming 
bog, and leave it in that state for some time, as 
the surest method of gaining solidity, by convey- 
ing off the under-water first ; where the natural 
figure of the surface favours it, the expence will 
not be a fourth of cutting a drain to the gravel, 
and will produce the same effect ; it may be ne- 
cessary 



76 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

cessary to add, that a shallow drain should be cut 
from the auger hole, where the water springs, to 
the natural fall • it would be more proper to make 
the narrow drain first, and in the bottom of it to 
bore the hole, rather obliquely than perpendicu- 
lar ; if the intended tract to be improved is on the 
side of a hill, in this case the drain should be 
parallel to its base, or as much so as the nature of 
the ground will admit. 

I have seen this process of boring effected at an 
expence of about two shillings per acre, and in a 
few weeks the bog was capable of bearing cattle of 
five or six hundred weight. 

Moors, or land which has very light superficial 
bog stratum, are doubtless occasioned by the spread- 
ing or overflowing of water on the surface ; drain- 
ing in this instance is absolutely necessary, and we 
frequently find the substratum of such soils is gra- 
vel, which is so very proper a manure to correct 
their acidity, and restore them to every purpose of 
tillage. 

If the gravel is not calcareous, the effect, which 
such beneficial manures impart, will be produced in 
a great degree, by lightly paring the surface, burn- 
ing the sod, and ploughing in the ashes ; a fine crop 
of turnips may be yielded from this management^ 
and it prepares the land very well for grass-seeds. 

When. 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 77 

When marie is found in the piercing of bogs, it 
is a most effectual manure, and its calcareous qua- 
lity will be highly encreased by burning it in small 
kilns, which renders as quick a putrefaction as caus- 
tic lime ; this is particularly valuable, where lime- 
stone is not conveniently had, and is an excellent 
substitute. 

Much has been objected by some agriculturists 
to the ploughing in the gravel, and incorporating 
it with the soil, as they assert, that solidity will be 
acquired from draining only, and that also an her- 
bage will be produced, which will yield a whole- 
some pasture; this mode may answer for two or 
three years, and I have known it tried with suc- 
cess for so long ; but, except the calcareous matter 
is incorporated with the soil, I have found it to re- 
turn again to its natural coarse and aqueous her- 
bage ; an instance of this was proved at Monalty 
demesne, near Carrickmacross, in the count}* of 
Monaghan, about three years ago, where the late 
Mr. Steele had ineffectually, though very attentive- 
ly, followed that process ; I know man}* active im- 
provers in the King's county, who are sensible of 
the superior effects of ploughing in the gravel. 

The general turf-cutting season in this county, as in 
most other parts of Ireland, is too late by six weeks, 
or a month at least ; they Leldom heartily engage in 
this work, till the summer is far advanced, and, 

should 



78 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

should the season be wet, it becomes a laborious and 
tedious task to save it, particularly when hand-turf 
is made, which is soon broken by the rain. 

When the month of March is dry, it is the best sea- 
son for turf-cutting, and it may be saved thoroughly, 
and clamped in three weeks. It is strange, that the 
linen merchants, who require so great a supply of 
fuel for their bleach-mills, should neglect this im- 
portant concern ; if it was better attended to, there 
might be a saving to the consumer of at least one 
third of the cost, and the children, whose business 
it is now to plunder and destroy hedges half the 
year, might be profitably employed ; but their whole 
time is spent in picking up fuel, when they might 
easily earn from three pence to four pence per day, 
in the process of the linen manufacture. 

It frequently happens in the deepest turf bogs 
in this county, that, after paring the surface sod, 
the first spit of slane turf is good ; the second layer 
loose, crumbly, and indifferent fuel ; and the third 
stratum, which generally goes to the depth of the 
lac-leagh or gravel, is best of all, and makes very 
firm and hard black turf. 

Turf ashes are so general a manure as to be 
adapted to every soil, but require a particular 
care in the different seasons, when they should 
be laid on, and certain quantities should be 

proportioned 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 79 

proportioned to the crop they are meant to 
produce. 

All artificial grasses are assisted by this manure ; 
it should be laid on stiff strong land very early in 
spring, and should not exceed eight barrels per 
plantation acre, or 256 gallons, and about an eighth 
less to the statute acre ; a third less than this pro- 
portion is perhaps too much for light warm soils. 
I have been assured by an excellent experimental 
farmer, that ashes, put out in spring, is an excellent 
dressing on green wheat sowed in a stiff clay soil, and 
pushes it forward very soon, but must be very light- 
ly laid on, not exceeding two herring guages to the 
acre, and that having tried it on a crop of bere in 
winter, it had a contrary effect, and forced the 
corn too soon ; the consequence was, that the pro- 
duce of straw was great, with a small head, and 
a withered stunted grain. It had a happy effect on 
wheat land in winter, though it disagreed with the 
bere crop ; for further experiment, part of the 
wheat crop, which had the manure in winter, was 
lightly dressed again in spring, and the effect was 
still more succesful. 

It considerably assists this manure, if rain should 
come soon after it has been spread on the surface, 
as it warms the roots of the plants, and destroys 
many animalcula, which are prejudicial to crops* 

to 



8o STATISTICAL SURVEY 

to turnips in particular, which never should be 

sowed but with this manure. 

On light sandy soils or light limestone gravel, 
ashes do not answer so well, except in rainy sea- 
sons ; in dry weather, they tend to burn all kinds 
of pasture, but if this dressing is laid on a deep 
soil in rainy weather, it produces a quick vegetation, 
and an ample recompence. 

When bog is burnt for manure, it is best to use 
the deep turf, as the ligneous particles, which it 
contains, are there in greatest purity, as being less 
exposed to the air, and containing a considerably 
greater quantity of salts and sulphur. 

Turf ashes, being of a very fiery substance, may 
be also happily applied in the destruction of sour 
bad kinds of grass, and aqueous herbage, which is 
not nutritious in low soils, after which, a light sur- 
face dressing of clay will ensure excellent grass, 
but small drains ought to be made to dry the 
surface. 

I think the lands beyond the bog, in the parish 
of Killevy, might be greatly improved by a judi- 
cious application of this manure, and it could be ob- 
tained at small expence; the first crop might be 
potatoes, which would yield a valuable return. I 
would prefer this crop, as it produces that degree 
of moisture, which is necessary to the soil, after this 
manure, both, as being a succulent plant imbibing 

the 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. Si 

the dews and retaining the moisture, protecting the 
surface and sheltering it, with its large spreading 
leaves and stalks, from the heat and power of the 
sun. 

Reclaimers in this country should commence with 
this crop, if they have not stock enough to consume 
a crop of turnips, as it is so necessary for the ac- 
tion of ardent and calcareous manures, that a due 
degree of moisture should be preserved. 

The potatoe will still be found a beneficial crop 
the second year, as corn crops very frequently fail 
in a boggy soil aftec calcareous manures ; the third 
year oats may be sown, but the land should be pre- 
viouslv ploughed deeply, and laid in high ridges ; 
from this culture a reasonable crop of twelve bar- 
rels of oats will be yielded in a very middling soil ; 
if the reclaimed land is intended for grass, it should 
never be laid down with a corn crop, but the seeds 
should be sown after a vegetable crop, as turnips, 
potatoes, &e. • ■ 

Bog, which has been reclaimed after this man- 
ner, will frequently yield white clover sponta- 
neously. 

The small farmer, who might gradually improve 
his little tract, could not cultivate a more valuable 
crop than cabbage plants for market ; the attend- 
ance they require is w r ell proportioned to the 
time he can spare from his loom. 

c The 



S) STATISTICAL SURVEY 

The wealthy proprietor of extensive tracts may 
more largely engage in reclaiming wastes, and should 
always prefer the culture of green crops ; they not 
only enrich the soil, but will also feed a numerous 
stock, which should be proportioned to their con- 
sumption ; the profits in this respect will greatly 
repay the expence, and ultimately, when the tract 
is reclaimed, the proprietor has not only gained so 
much land, but is also considerably in pocket. 

Improvers have naturally an anxious desire to see 
the wastes, which they have taken in hands, con- 
verted into grass ; to effect which, a great error is 
committed in laying it down too early, for it re- 
quires a long culture and frequent ploughings, be- 
fore the coarse sour herbage is destroyed ; the 
drains should also be kept open for a considerable 
time, and dragged of weeds, or any stuff which 
may have fallen in ; the property of bog- water be- 
ing directly opposite to that of rain or river wa- 
ter, any weeds, grasses, or plants, which lie in 
these drains, are not rotted or decayed, but rather 
swelled and macerated, so as to form an impedi- 
ment to the passage of the water, which the bog 
again imbibes, and sucks up like a sponge, and, 
wherever it prevails, destroying vegetation. Bog 
plants will strike root again in the bottom of these 
drains, which shews the necessity of their being 
kept constantly cleared. 

The 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 83 

The advice of all improvers is unanimous in this 
instance : some even assert, that nothing more is 
necessary than to keep a strict attention to clearing 
and scouring up these passages for the under- 
water ; that, when it is discharged, the bog plants 
will die, and their putrescence will produce a 
wholesome natural herbage for young store cattle; 
and that afterwards the nicer modes of culture 
may be adopted, as leisure or circumstances will 
admit, always observing, when lime is applied, that 
the more caustic it is, so much the better, and the 
speedier its operation, and that it should be laid on 
bog while the soil is moist. 

When potatoes are sowed in bog, which has been 
manured with dung, they are never of a good qua- 
lity, but are watery, soft, and will not keep ; 
with lime manure they are in every respect the 
reverse. 

A principal matter in reclaiming bog is to pro- 
cure shelter ; this may be effectually had, by em- 
banking a long ridge between two wide drains and 
planting it. Firs, larch, and beech, quickly af- 
ford shelter, and form a beautiful and capital en- 
closure ; and if the sides of this bank are quicked 
with white-thorn, it considerably adds to its per- 
manency and effect. 

g 2 Sect, 



STATISTICAL SURVEY 



Sect. 7. Minerals. 

The minerals of this county, as connected with 
metallurgy, are so few, which have yet been dis- 
covered, as scarcely deserving notice, that of lead 
only excepted, which is confined to one particular 
district. 

Of perfect metals there is none ; some imperfect 
lead, and some indication of iron, semimetals, 
regulus of manganese, and antimony, and these 
only in very few and partial spots ; but of the 
various substrata of minerals, which have no ne- 
cessary metallic properties in themselves, except 
fortuitously, better distinguished as fossils, there 
is a great variety, which would afford ample in- 
vestigation for the natural philosopher. 



Fossils, native, and extraneous. 

All bodies beneath the surface are termed fossils 
in natural history, whether they have been origin- 
ally produced, or have adventitiously been placed 
there ; what we have now to consider are unme- 
tallic, for, although every mineral is certainly a 

fossil, 






OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 85 

fossil, yet no fossil can be strictly termed a mineral, 
but that which is found in a mine. 

The most valuable fossil yet discovered in this 
county is limestone, of numerous kinds, and more 
or less calcareous, under which is ranked all the 
variety of marbles. 

The fossil usually termed freestone, from the soft 
or easy working of that stone, but which in mine- 
ralogy is termed sandstone, is found in boulders and 
loose blocks, but I do not recollect to have seen, 
any quarries of it in this county ; here, it is pretty 
much superficial, and of course more hard, and less 
esteemed by stone-cutters. I have seen detached 
pieces of it in the mountains, very fit for grinding*, 
stones, but not of sufficient magnitude for mill- 
stones. 

There are also some other native fossils, as clay^ 
potters'-ore, soap-stone, coloured earths, and a va- 
riety of ochres, and also some indication of slate 
quarry. 

The extraneous fossils, which I have learned to 
have been found here, are confined to the vegeta- 
ble kingdom, as trees, and some variety of plants; 
of the former, the oak and the hazle, both in roots 
and nuts, at great depth in bogs, and the petrified 
woods on the banks of Lough-Neagh ; of plants, 
principally the fern, and, I am told, the spleenwort 

also, 



36 STATISTICAL SURVLY 

also, and some mosses, which have been discovered 
in the heart of slaty stones. 

I have not heard of any shells being discovered 
in stone, nor any fossils of the animal kingdom, 
which are frequently dug out of many of the bogs 
of Ireland. 



Mineral Waters. 

In the mountainous district are several springs, 
slightly impregnated with sulphur, and chalybeate, 
and there are frequent ferruginous oozings, most 
generally on the borders of bogs ; one of these, in 
the midst of the Fews mountains, is said to be 
useful in scrophulous complaints, and operates as a 
purgative. I had not an analysis of it, but it was 
very sulphureous and cold ; silver was changed in 
colour to that of copper, and a glass of spirits, 
mixed in a quart jug of this water, turned black ; 
in the spring, the water looks as pure and clear as 
chrystal. 

I cannot find there is a mineral water in the coun- 
ty, of any eminence or well proved medicinal pro- 
perties, nor does Rutty take notice of such. 

The waters of Lough-Neagh, which border the 
county, are medicinal, and have been indubitably 
proved to cure scrophulous complaints ; on the north- 
west 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. $7 

west side of Armagh, touching Tyrone, this virtue 
is said to exist principally : here is a bay, with a 
sandy bottom, and a gradual descent ; it is said 
that, by ten or fourteen days bathing in this place, 
and drinking the waters also, running sores will 
be dried and healed, and even the kingVevil ef- 
fectually cured. 

Boate, in his natural history of Ireland, relates 
a remarkable cure* of the kingVevil, in this place, 
in eight days. 

He remarks, that the declivity of this bay is so 
gentle, that a man can gradually walk out for a 
great distance, until he is up to his chin, and that 
frequently the sand changed from cold to warm, 
and from warm to cold ; this observation yet holds 
good, as also that the drinking of the waters will 
relieve chronic complaints, and stop fluxes. 

Formerly the natives considered, that this heal- 
ing virtue was only imparted on the anniversary 
of St.. John, on which day they resorted to the 
lake, in great crowds, and also drove in their sick 
and distempered cattle ; the superior efficacy of 
the waters, about mid-summer, must have occasioned 
their attributing the benefit derived to the influ- 
ence of this saint, whom they yet invoke, when 

they 

* In a letter from Francis Neville, Es<|. to the Bishop 
of Clogher, page 120, 



8fr STATISTICAL SURVEY 

they have occasion to try the med.cinal effect of 
this celebrated lake. 

Its petrifying quality will be considered in the 
next section. 



Sect. 8. Waters. 

1. The Blackwater river, forms the western 
bounds of Arnugh, and divides it from Tyrone, to 
which it is equally common with this county. 

This river rises in Tyrone, and is, near the foun- 
tain head, an inconsiderable stream, but mairy ri- 
vulets are discharged into it, before it touches Ar- 
magh county ; the point of junction is at Calcdon 
demesne, and from hence it becomes a very vide and 
beautiful river, highly adorning the spacious banks, 
through which it flows, and from thence, coursing* 
the confines, is discharged into Lough-Neagh. 

The towns of Blackwater and Charlemont arc 
on the banks of this river, as also the villages of 
Benburb and Caledon are just in its vicinity. 

2. The Ban, flows only in the north-eastern dis- 
trict ; after passing through Down county, near 
Guilford, and from thence joining the Newry canal, 
it is discharged into Lough-Neagh. The neat trad- 
ing town of Portadown is watered by the Ban, 

which 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 89 
which here is a spacious river ; it also flows con- 
venient to the town of Lurgan, and is navigable 
throughout in its passage through this county. 

3. The Newry river, or the Newry water, as 
it is more generally distinguished, rises in the 
county of Down, flowing but a short distance, in 
a narrow valley, from its source to the bay of Car* 
lino-ford, into which it is discharged ; it is in itself 
but an inconsiderable stream ; its connection with 
the tide-water renders it of the first consequence 
to the trading town of Newry, through which it 
eourses in its passage to the sea. 

4. The Callen, is said to have two sources, one 
of which is in the centre of the county, in 
the parish of Mullabrack; passing near Lisnadill 
church, it still keeps a central course, flowing below 
Armagh town, and quite contiguous to it ; thence 
taking a north-easterly, and, soon after, a norths 
westerly direction, it is discharged into the Black- 
water river, close to the village of Charlemont y 
the other source is the fifteenth river mentioned 
in this section. The village of Keady is on this 
river. 

5. The Tall-water, is also a central stream rising 
between Richill and Hamiltons' bawn, and passes 
through the parishes of Kilmore and Loughgal, in 
a direct northerly course ; thence changing due 
west, it flows towards Charlemon-t, and joins the. 

Callen. 



5© STATISTICAL SURVEY 

Callen river at a short distance from its union 
with the Black water river. The town of Richill 
stands on this stream. 

6. The Cuskier, rises rather central near Baleek 
village, and flows contiguous to Portmorris in a 
north-easterly course; thence it changes to a northerly 
direction, till it meets the village of Clare, and in 
this course is encreased by several streams, with 
those which pass by the town of Market-hill, and 
the village of Mohan. 

From Clare, it again takes a north-easterly course 
to the town of Tanderagee, near to which it is dis- 
charged into the Newry canal. 

7. The Tynan river, which flows near the small 
town of the same name, in the north-western angle 
of this county, rises in the county of Monaghan, 
flows through Castleshane, and meets this county 
near the village of Middleton; thence intersecting that 
small angle of Armagh, which runs into Monaghan, 
it is discharged into the Blackwater, near Caledon. 

8. The Camlough stream, which is narrow, and 
very rapid, rises at the lake of the same name, at 
the foot of Slieve-Guillien mountain, in Killevy pa- 
rish, and is discharged into the Newry canal ; its 
whole course does not exceed four miles, but the 
astonishing business performed in the numerous 
mills on this small stream, of which I shall have 
again occasion to take particular notice, renders it 
of the first consequence and value to the county. 

The 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 91 

The rapidity of this water towards the valley of 
Newry, and the many mill-scites on its banks, which 
are all overshot, is a very strong corroborating 
proof of the great elevation of ground, on which 
Slieve-Guillien mountain stands. The falls of this 
stream are so sudden, that no head of water is re- 
quired, as a mill pond, for any of the works, the 
tail-race of the higher mill being the head of the next 
below, and so in succession, till it reaches the valley, 

9. The Newtown- Hamilton river, rises in the 
mountains, north of that town, passes close to its 
rear in a southern direction, coursing through the 
Fews mountains in Creggan parish ; and near to 
Crossmaglin village, it enters Louth county, and 
flows into Dundalk, where it is emptied into the bay. 

10. The Tara stream, rising eastward of New- 
town Hamilton, keeps a course pretty nearly pa- 
rallel with the last river, enters Louth county, at 
about three miles distance from it, and is discharged 
into the same stream, before it reaches Dundalk. 

11. A small mountain stream rises near Forkhill, 
and enters Louth, about a mile from the last river, 
meeting it before itsjunction with the Dundalk river. 

12. To these we may add a fourth mountain 
stream, the Fleury river, which rises near Jones- 
borough, pretty nearly on the verge of this coun- 
ty, and gives name to the small post town of Fleury- 
bridge ; thence it passes through the delightful valley 

of 



9i STATISTICAL SURVEY 

of Ravensdale park, in the county of Louth, and 
is discharged into Dundalk bay, about two miles 
north of the town. 

13. The south-western borders of the county 
are marked by a small stream, which is the head 
of the riv.t r Fane ; after a few miles in this direc- 
tion, it enters Monaghan county, at the village of 
Culloville, and intersects a small south-eastern angle 
of that district, before it becomes that spacious and 
beautiful river, which flows through the county of 
Louth, and is called the Fane water ; it is dis- 
charged into Dundalk bay, at Lurgan-green. 

14. 15, There are two other streams, which, 
though small » deserve mention as boundaries; they 
rise exactly on the verge of Armagh and Monaghan 
counties, and are for some distance the line of se- 
paration. Their courses are directly opposite, one 
running north, and the other south, for about 
four miles each, until they meet ; when a new 
course is made, by the joint streams, of N. E. by 
E. nearly ; flowing near the town of Keady, and 
a little northward of Lough-Clay, it meets the Cal- 
len river; for this reason, it is with propriety con* 
tended, that this is the source of the Callen water, 
and that the stream, which rises in Mullabrack 
parish, already described, is but a secondary sup- 
ply, in like manner as a third stream, which 
joins it near Keady, flowing out of Lough-Clay. ■ 

16. 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 93 

16. 17. 18. In the north-eastern angle of the 
county, are three small streams, which rise in the 
parish of Shankill, near Lurgan, and are imme- 
diately discharged into Lough-Neagh. 

These are the principal rivers and streams in the 
county, which it is necessary to mention, as form- 
ing the natural and prominent features, or deserv- 
ing notice as conducive to such material benefits, 
which are derived from the extensive bleach and 
numerous corn-mills they supply. 

There are some lesser streams of inconsiderable 
importance, and it must be observed, that the nu- 
merical arrangement of these rivers is not according 
to their size, or extent, but merely as they appear 
important, as a feature on the map of the county, 
or for their value in the uses, to which they are 
applied ; some only are numbered, for the more 
easy reference of the reader, in the following table, 
or when they form a junction with other streams, 
or flow near to each other. By stating the ac- 
knowledged length of the course of each river in its 
passage through this county, the proportionate body 
of water will more easily appear, in the area of 
283 square miles, the contents of the county, Irish 
measure. 

Tahlt 



94 



STATISTICAL SURVEY 



Table of the Distance which each River rims, and the 
course it takes through this County. 



No. 


River. 


Course. 


MUes. 




i 


Black-water. 


from S. W. to N. E. 


flows 


- 13 


2 


Bann. 


from S. E. to N. W. 





- 9 


3 


Newry.water. 


from N. to S. E. 





- 7 


4 


Callen, ist branch. 


fromS.toN.& N.W. 





- IO 


5 


Tall-Water. 


fromS.toN.&N.W. 


__ 


- IO 


6 


Cushier, with its 1 
small streams. J 


from S. W. to N. E. 





. 21 


7 


Tynan. 


from S. W. to N. 


— - 


- 3 


8 


Camlough. 


from W. to E. 


... 


- 4 


9 


Newtown-Ha- "I 
milton. J 


from N. to S. 





- '3 


IO 


Tara. 


from N. to S. 


— 


- 9 


ii 


Forkhill. 


from N. to S. 


_ 


3 


12 


Fleury. 


from N. to S. 





l 


*3 


Fane. 


from N. to S. 





- 6 


; 1 


Two streams 1 
flowing. J 


from N. to S. "J 
& ( 


thence East 
making 


}■■ 


«5J 


from S. to N. J 


together 


3 


i8j 


Three streams ) 
flowing. J 


from S. E. to N. W. 


making 
together 


}> 








Total Miles 


130 



Thus 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 95 

Thus, independent of smaller streams, there ap- 
pears, in the map of this county collectively, no less 
a course of water, than would extend 130 miles 
in length, which is conveniently dispersed within 
the small circumference of eighty Irish miles. Very 
little damage is ever occasioned by the overflow- 
ing of these rivers, nor is there any mischief which 
can ensue, but may be guarded against with due 
care and attention, and which the superficial figure 
of the country is so well calculated to resist. 



Lakes. 



The lakes in the interior of Armagh are few; 
the principal are Camlough, or Carlough, and 
Lough-Clay, which would be rated as very inferior 
in some neighbouring counties. 

Small as is the area of the lake, from whence 
water is conveyed to the city of Armagh, it is, in 
this instance, of such importance to so large a 
district, that it would be unpardonable to omit it. 

A small chain of lakes occupy the boundary line, 
near Middieton, and are of importance to the mills 
in that vicinity. 



Lough 



STATISTICAL SURVEY 



Lough- Neagh. 

We come now to speak of the great water of 
Lough-Neagh, which forms the northern line of 
division, and presents so extensive a shore in this 
view. 

Though^ strictly speaking, this vast expanse is 
only a boundary, yet it requires particular attention; 
and I had hoped, that the able reporters, who had 
already given a detail of their enquiries in counties, 
which are considerably more connected with it than 
Armagh, would have gratified the public with some 
account of its natural history, as well as observations 
on its great importance to the navigations, which 
flow into it, and the consequent extension of trade, 
which it encourages, throughout the province of 
Ulster. 

This immense sheet of water, which may be well 
styled a sea, in comparison with all the other lakes 
in Ireland, covers a great area, in the heart of the 
province, and is bounded by five counties, viz. Ar- 
magh on the south, Tyrone on the west, London- 
derry on the north-west, Antrim on the north and 
east, and Down, which barely touches it on the south- 
eastern angle. Small as this angle is, yet on the 
confines of the lake there is no district, which more 
materially suffers from its inundations, which here 

have 





Fold-oi 

Placehol 



This fold-out is being digitized, anc 

future date. 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 97 

have sometimes overflowed an extensive plain, above 
seven or eight miles inland, and produced the most 
mischievous effects. 

In all the old maps of Ireland it has been stated, 
that Lough-Neagh covers a plain of 100,000 acres ; 
but the survey made by Mr. Lendrick directly 
contradicts this statement, and reduces its contents 
nearly to one half, to that of 58,200 acres. This 
gentleman also corrects the figure of the lake, 
which, he asserts, was laid down as incorrectly as 
the area, and, by his report, it is fifteen miles ia 
length, by seven in breadth. 

It becomes a matter of surprise, that so immense 
a body of water, which is supplied by the constant 
influx of several great rivers, and numberless others 
of lesser note, should have but one narrow channel, 
from whence these are again discharged ; and we 
should expect on this account, that inundations 
were so frequent, as to depopulate its shores ; but 
this seldom occurs ; perhaps a great overflow will 
not occur above once in fifteen years. 

Where the shore is very flat, it is subject to 
every flood, and its banks are always marshy, and 
incapable, from their low situations, of being drain- 
ed, and a great extent is of this description ; in 
some few places, the coast is bold and abrupt, but 
entirely destitute of wood, which would be so beau- 
tiful a contrast to the lake, although the stumps 

H and 



98 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

and rcots of trees, which have been found in several 
places, prove, that formerly the shores must have 
been covered with forest ; nor is there any of the 
delightful interruptions, which Killarney and Lough- 
Erne are celebrated for, by the breaks formed in 
the prospect, with rocky and wooded islands, pre- 
senting irregular and undulating surfaces ; all here 
is an unvaried sameness, no picturesque views, or 
romantic scenery, and but two islands in this great 
expanse, one near the shore, in the south-western 
angle of the lake, called Black water-island, just at 
the mouth of the river, of the same name ; and the 
other on the eastern borders, contiguous to the 
coast of Antrim, named Ham-island, and in this 
is one of the ancient round towers peculiar to Ire- 
land. This island is rated in the county of An- 
trim, and diocess of Connor. 

The channel, through which this great body of 
water seeks its passage to the ocean, is called the 
lower Ban river, and flows in that extensive con- 
fine between Londonderry and Antrim counties, 
nearly in a direction from south to north, for a line 
of about thirty miles in length, including its cur- 
vatures and angles, and is discharged into the 
ocean, at four miles distance, below Coleraine, on 
whose banks this capital town is built. 

Some authors have considered Lough-Neagh as 
but an expanse of this river, but the observation 

may 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 99 

may with as much truth be applied to the other 
six considerable rivers, which flow into it. If the 
discharging river was called the lower Black water, 
it might have furnished as good grounds for the 
supposition, as its course would seem to coast the 
Jake from its entrance to Toome ; but a moment's 
reflection on the distinguishing characteristic of 
lakes will do away this idea entirely, the ex- 
pansion being of that description of lake, which ap- 
parently discharges less water than it receives ; for 
the flow from the lower Ban is by no means equal 
to the quantity admitted by the seven great rivers, 
and the many other tributary streams around the 
shore ; the surplus, then, we cannot conceive to be 
spent in exhalation. 

The antient name of this lake was Echach or 
Eacha, which in the Erse language signified di- 
vine, and loch, a lake, or the divine lake. In the 
same language Neasg or Naasgh, a sore, might have 
alluded to its virtues in curing cutaneous disorders, 
and from thence be easily corrupted into Neach or 
Neagh ; but Dr. Smith says, the healing virtue of 
the lake was not discovered till in the reign of 
Charles the II. when a young man was cured by 
bathing in the lake, for which remarkable relation 
I have already referred the reader to Boats' Natural 
history of Ireland. 

H 2 The 



loo STATISTICAL SURVEY 

The petrifying quality, ascribed to Lough-Neagh, 
has been long a matter of great doubt and contro- 
versy amongst very intelligent and inquisitive natu- 
ralists, and is even yet very strongly disputed. 
So long ago as the 8th century, it has been re- 
corded by Nenius, a writer of that age, as possessing 
the virtue, who says, " est aliud stagnum, quodfa- 
cit ligna durescere in lapides ; homines antem scin- 
dunt figna, et postquam formaverunt projiciunt in 
stagnnm, et manent in eo usque ad caput anni, 
*t in capite anni lapis invenitur, et vocatur Loch- 
Echagh." I apprehend those, who seem to doubt 
this property, have not sufficiently examined it, 
or tried the experiment ; it may be confined to 
some particular parts, and not to the whole lake, 
but that this virtue belongs to the soil also in some 
places, is unquestionable. Perhaps the means, by 
which petrifaction is accomplished, is not sufficiently 
understood in natural philosophy, or the matter 
might be easily cleared up. It is laid down as a 
general principle, that petrifaction cannot take 
place, but where there is shelter from air and run- 
ning water ; the deep marshes on this coast so far 
are favourable to it : for the further process, there 
must be a complete disorganization of the ligneous 
matter, and all its corruptible parts decayed, and 
the mere outward shell remaining only, forming a ske- 
leton, in the hollow tubes of which are lodged stony 
particles, or clays peculiar to water, and that this 

moulding 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. x*i 

moulding anew of the substance had been there 
deposited, whilst the waters were evaporating; 
that, thus condensed, in process of time, when 
fully petrified, the fossil is considerably heavier than 
it was in its original state. 

The experiment has doubtless being tried, of 
driving stakes into the bottom of the lake, and into 
the soil of its shores, which have been suffered to re- 
main twenty years undisturbed without any visible 
change ; but this is no convincing proof of the non- 
existence of the petrifying power, as probably the 
process is not completed for a great length of time. 

I know the general idea is, that the change is 
completed in seven years, but this is an idle re- 
mark, and no way confirmed ; besides it is on holly- 
wood they particularly ascribe the powers ; but it 
is more probable to suppose, that any soft wood 
would be sooner decomposed than a hard one. 

From some accounts in Boats'* Natural history of 
Ireland, if they could be credited, this change takes 
place in a few years, and it is not the soil nor 
the water, but the vapours issuing from them, 
which occasion the petrifaction ; he says, a gen- 
tleman cut some trees, for building, on the shore 
of the lake, and amongst others a large holly- , 

tree, 

* From page 116 to page 123, in a letter from Mr. 
William Molyneux, secretary to the Dublin Society, to 
Mr. William Musgrave, fellow of Oxford College. 



\t% STATISTICAL SURVEY 

tree, but that the disturbances of the times had 
prevented him from using them, and they lay on 
the ground for several years, until he thought it 
safe to pursue his building ; but when he came for 
his timber, he found the holly-tree petrified, and 
the other timber sound, and covered with moss, 
and that the water of the lough had never reached 
it ; it is, however, observed, that this story is only 
given from common report ; the gentleman, who 
relates it, adds, that from his own experiments 
he is decided, that petrifaction* is occasioned in 
wood, in the vicinity of the lake, that these fossils 
■will burn and flame, and the smoke smells like 
the smoke of wood, and that he had various pieces 
of them, which had arrived at different degrees of 
petrifaction, and one in particular, being clift, he 
could discover to be holly, and even see the pith 
in the centre of it, and also the grain of the wood ; 
the outer coat he describes as perfect stone, but 
the whole reasoning in this instance is by no means 
conclusive ; the reader is referred to the account 
in the annexed note.* 

That a k petrifying virtue exists hi this vicinity, is 
unquestionable, but it is not sufficiently clear, to what 
element it may be ascribed, whether to the soil, 

the 

* We have satisfactory and ocular demonstration of the 
fact, in the many samples of fossils, cow exhibited in the 
Dublin Society's museum. 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 10$ 

the waters, or the exhalation which rise from the 
marshy borders or the lake itself. 

It would certainly be a very desirable matter, 
that this subject should be well considered by soma 
able naturalist ; it is surely worth investigation, and 
it would be a matter of importance to enquire into 
its medicinal virtues. 

On the strand of Lough-Neagh are found some 
transparent pebbles, which take a beautiful polish, 
very much resembling cornelian ; some of them 
are by no means inferior to this stone, are rarely 
found, and esteemed very valuable in the cabinets 
of the curious. They are called gems in this 
neighbourhood, and the peasants easily distinguish 
them from the other pebbles, which are transparent, 
and peculiar to this shore; many people make a 
trade of picking up these gems, and selling them 
to lapidaries in Dublin. Samples of these are 
also deposited in the Society's museum. 

This lake abounds with salmon, pike, trout, eel, 
roach, and bream, and a kind of fresh water her- 
ring, called in Irish pollans ; they resemble large 
smelts, and their scales are very bright ; they are 
much esteemed, and furnish a wholesome supply 
for the poor. 

The shad- fish is caught in the salmon fishery at 
Coleraine, near where this water is discharged into 
the ocean ; it appears very probable, that those 

pollans 



104- STATISTICAL SURVEY 

pollans are from the spawn of this fish, which has 
been deposited in the lough, and perhaps requires 
the sea- water to bring them to perfection. 



Navigations. 

Considering the advantages of navigation, which 
Lough-Neagh affords to the several counties on its 
coast, it is of great importance, and in this poli- 
tical view deserves particular consideration. 

The canals, which meet this lake, are the Newry 
canal, that from Belfast city, and that from the Ty- 
rone collieries ; by means of these, a communica- 
tion is effected between the counties of Down, 
Armagh, Tyrone, and Antrim, in vessels of sixty 
tons burthen. 

In the reports of the county of Down, some de- 
fects in the Belfast line are pointed out, or in that 
part, which runs between Lisburn and Belfast, ren- 
dering the passage uncertain and tedious ; it will 
remain for me to sa}- something of the navigation 
of this county, but I shall first beg leave to make a 
remark on the^line, which appears the most fa- 
vourable for an effectual navigation from the 
sea to this lake, and by which a communication 
would be procured with the remote counties of 
Ulster: every observer will allow, that this line 

should 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. \o$ 

should be the valley, through which the lower Ban 
flows to Coleraine ; the entire line of the counties of 
Antrim and Londonderry would thus be benefited ; 
the expence, comparatively with the advantages to 
be derived, would be trifling ; the principal obstruc- 
tion is by means of some shoals, which could be 
easily removed, and several great rocks ; but by a 
partial adoption of the river, for the line of canal, 
in some places, and receding from it where the dif- 
ficulties are great, and by making alternate new 
cuts, it could be performed for a moderate expen- 
diture.* 

I know it is contended, that the Belfast trade 
would probably suffer, and that Coleraine would be 
more particularly benefited by such a canal; but 
these selfish considerations are, perhaps, the true 
reason, why works of this nature, of such general 
utility, are not more earnestly engaged in ; public 
benefits should never be thwarted by individual in- 
terest, and the fears and obstructions, which illiberal 
and narrow minds will suggest, are often unfound- 
ed, and would ultimately, perhaps, have the very 
reverse tendency, and produce such advantages, 
as would be felt by the whole community. 

I proceed 

* I understand an estimate of this expence has been 
made, and is under consideration. 



io6 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

I proceed now to speak of the navigation, imme- 
diately connected with this county, which is called 
the Newry canal. 



Newry canal. 

The obstructions, which were encountered on the 
Newry river from that town to the sea, were so 
numerous, and invincible by other means, as to oc- 
casion the adoption of the present navigation ; 
for, originally, this river could not bear boats, but 
of very small burthen, and only at high water, as 
the tide flowed up to the town. The work was 
considered to be a national benefit, if extend- 
ed to Lough-Neagh, and there to admit the boats 
from the Tyrone collieries, and that the coal, brought 
from thence to Newry, could be dispatched coast- 
ways to many parts of Ireland, which would keep 
at home the immensity of specie paid for foreign 
coals. 

The work was entirely completed by parliament- 
ary grants, and placed under the contrQul of a 
Board, but there has lately been made a considera- 
ble change in its form and government. The original 
board consisted of twenty-one members, and not'aing 
could be determined without their consent. The 
noblemen of the counties of Armagh, Tyrone,' and 

Down, 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 107 

Down, and the county representatives had each a 
vote, but the consequence was, that the business 
was greatly neglected, as they found it difficult to 
bring so many gentlemen together, as would make a 
board ; if casual repairs were required, they of 
course could not be amended, and the navigation 
was for long periods impeded, and rendered so un- 
certain, that the great trade from Newry, which 
was formerly carried on this line with the counties 
bordering Lough-Neagh, has been transferred to 
Belfast, which has wonderfully rivalled Newry of 
late years, and deprived this town of many branches 
of her trade. 

If in consequence of the neglect of a necessary 
expenditure of money, for long periods, the works 
were greatly injured, yet the small tolls, which 
were yielded in particular places, that still remained 
navigable, were husbanded with great care and 
management by the Rev. Doctor Campbell, of 
Newry, who was secretary to the board, and the 
savings amounted to no less than 5,000/. in hand, 
when that gentleman lately resigned. 

Since the now establishment has been adopted, 
this sum, together with a large grant from the ge- 
neral navigation board, has been expended in 
some material repairs and improvements. 

The board of twenty-one is now abolished, and 
the management of all affairs, relating to the canal, 



IO * STATISTICAL SURVEY 

is vested in conductors, who must be resident mer- 
chants in Newry, and naturally are interested in 
the prosperity of the trade of the town ; five of these 
constitute a board, they recommend what they 
think necessary to be done, and communicate their 
opinions to the general navigation board, who or- 
der them to be adopted or rejected at their dis- 
cretion. 

The annual tolls now amount to 2,500/. but for- 
merly were treble this sum, and, lately, consider- 
ably less; for one boat, which now plies, about 
seven or eight years ago perhaps ten or fifteen 
were in constant employment ; however, the trade 
is again improving. 

Limestone, sand, lime, and all manures, are 
toll free, no inconsiderable encouragement to agri- 
cultural improvements. Timber is freed into the 
canal, but pays a small toll in its passage; other 
goods pay a fee of entrance. 

The navigation is now greatly improved from 
the town to the sea, but the new locks, which have 
been lately built, are too narrow by three feet, 
being only twenty-two in the clear ; they only re- 
quire that alteration, to admit large vessels to come 
up, which now unlade at Warren point, six miles 
from Newry ; lighters take in their cargoes, and 
enter the canal at Fathom. 

For 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 109 

For two years past, the works have been under 
a general repair, and the line is now well supplied 
with vvater. The Cushier river will immediately 
be let in, and a trough or tunnel, of cut stone, is 
now building near the noted burial place of Bally- 
naback ; Lough-brickland and Lough-shark waters 
already supply it. 

The whole length of this navigation, from the 
junction with the tide-water at Fathom to the town 
of Newry, is four miles ; from thence to Lough- 
Neagh twenty-seven miles, in toto thirty-one Irish 
miles. 

Its advantages are common to the whole line of 
country, westward in Armagh, and eastward in 
Down ; running for the greater way in that valley, 
which constitutes the bounds of those two coun- 
ties ; in respect of the several towns and villages 
on its banks, we will hereafter shew, how they are 
particularly benefited, in the 13th chap, and 5th 
section. 

The great mistake in inland navigation, as has 
been proved in various instances, is the adopting 
the beds of rivers for the lines of canal, und^r the 
idea of a saving of money; but in fact it occurs, 
that this only tends to great and lasting expence. 
Kivers, from their low situation, naturally receive 
all superficial water, from snow and rain, as well^ 
' as from springs, and are, of course, subject to 

floods^ 



no STATISTICAL SURVEY 

floods, which not only interrupt the passage, but 
frequently sweep away the works, and leave them 
liable to incalculable expence: how many such 
navigations are there, at present, in Ireland, on 
which thousands have been expended to no good 
purpose, and whose defects cannot be remedied, 
but by abandoning the bed of the river, and adopt- 
ing a new line ? A partial selection of river beds, 
in favourable situations, such as are not subject to 
floods, is sometimes very adviseable, but where the 
river is liable to rapid torrents, a navigation should 
never be thought of. 

Formerly, the making of canals was only consi- 
dered adviseable, in proportion to the trade, which, 
it was calculated, was transported by land carriage, 
and would ultimately defray the cost of the work ; 
but there are many instances, of late years, to 
prove that such a calculation is too niggard, and that 
canals have not only assisted trade, but created 
new branches of commerce, as well as mate- 
rially improved agriculture. The prosperous state 
of all the infant towns, on the Grand canal line, 
peculiarly confirms this observation, where, but a 
few years ago, nothing but a bleak and unculti- 
vated waste, or dreary bog, was to be seen. The 
immense rise on landed property, in this extended 
line of canal, has already exceeded the most san- 
guine 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. in 

guine expectations, and this success should create 
an emulation amongst the gentry in this province, 
to forward works of such great importance to the 
natives in general, and particular]}- so to their 
own private interests. 



Fish. 

Before we conclude this section, I shall say a 
few words on the animal and vegetable kingdom 
peculiar to the element, of which it treats. The 
connection of the rivers of this county with the 
sea, by means of Lough-Neagh, has supplied them 
with salmon, which fish resorts- all the major wa- 
ters. I have already mentioned, that there is a 
kind of smelt or shad-fish, peculiar to the lough, 
and very abundant, so as to furnish an amply sup- 
ply for the poor. I do not learn there is any es- 
tablished right of fishery in Lough-Neagh, but 
there is no interruption to any adventurer. Lough- 
Neagh, and the mouths of the neighbouring rivers, 
are celebrated for a very fine kind of salmon-trout, 
which are frequently taken to the weight of above 
thirty pounds. The common trout, found in all 
rivers, is abundant, and of a large size, in most 
of these rivers. 

The 



ii 2 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

The pike is found in Lough-Neagh, Lough-Shark, 
the Ban, and the Blackwater ; the eel is of a large 
size, and very plenty, in rivers connected with 
lakes. The bream and roach are numerous, and 
easily taken with bait. 



Aquatic Birds. 

Of the feathered tribe, peculiar to this section, 
are the wild duck, widgeon, teal, all the variety 
of gulls, sea-plover, swans in great abundance, wild 
geese, cape-geese, herons, curlieus, coots, water- 
hens, king-fishers, and divers. 

There is scarcely a description of water-fowl, 
which are common to the sea-coast or great lakes, 
but frequent many miles around the vicinity of 
Lough-Neagh, and, in hard weather, take shelter 
in the adjoining demesnes. To Mr. Brownlow's 
beautiful lake, at Lurgan, they have a constant re- 
sort, as they are always protected, and are now 
become so familiar there, as to regularly breed every 
year. 



Amphibious animaL. 

The otter, which is so destructive to fish, is 
sometimes seen in the Cushier river, and has even 

frequented 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 113 

frequented the Newry water, but seldom of late 
years. 

The water-rat is common in the marshes, on the 
shore of Lough-Neagh, and it is said the bite of 
this animal is venomous and difficult to cure. 

Aquatic plants. 

The most useful aquatic plant is the poafluitariSy 
or the water-fescue grass, which is found on the 
borders of the marshes, that are left drv in summer ; 
this grass is luxuriant, and makes excellent hay. 
When this plant appears, the marshes are covered 
with water-fowl, which delight in feeding on it. 

The iris, or flagger, flourishes on the banks of 
the river Callen ; I have seen excellent garden-mats 
made of this plant, and also bed-mats, which it is 
peculiarly proper for, as it will not rot on ground 
floors. 

The ranunculus, or crow foot, is common to all 
low marshy grounds. 

The water-lily, nymphcea, grows on the bor- 
ders of Lough-Neagh, and in muddy ditches ; there 
are two kinds of this plant, both white and yellow; 
of the latter, dye-stuff is produced by decoctions, 
and is of a deep brown colour. 

I The 



ii 4 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

The water-hemlock, or phellandriurn aquaticum ; 
this plant is eaten by all our cattle, but cows, which 
will refuse it; it ii said to sicken horses, yet they 
eat it greedily; stupes of it are known to be pow- 
erful in repelling ; it grows on the banks of the 
Cushier and Blackwater rivers, and in the vicinity 
of Lough-Neagh. 

The euphrasia> or eyebright, useful for com- 
plaints in the eyes, is frequently met in the low 
-rounds near the river. 

The colckicam, or meadow saffron, grows on the 
borders of the Blackwater and the Calien, and is 
highly ornamental, its flowers affording a beautiful 
variety ; the medicinal virtues of the root are diu- 
retic and balsamic, when old, but it must be used 
with great caution, for even a small quantity of 
it, when young, is acrid and highly poisonous ; 
the root is bulbous, the flowers are a variety of 
shades, of red, yellow, white, and purple ; it grows 
in low meadows, on the banks of avers, and in 
marshy places. 

j The se:iec<. its 3 or bird's tongue, in' low 

marshes. 

The mare's tail, or hippuris 9 grows in stagnant 
waters, and is found in the marshy ground near 
the junction of the Newry canal with Lough-Neagh ; 

its 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 115 

its properties are astringent, cattle refuse it, but 
goats eat it greedily. 

The pondweed, or potamogeton natans, is an 
agreeable and wholesome plant to cattle, and grows 
in stagnant waters near Lough-Neagh. 

The parnassia, or grass of parnassus, a plant of 
extreme elegance and beauty, grows in the vici- 
nity of Lough-Neagh, and on the banks of the 
Tynan river. 

The water fig wort, or scrophularia aquatica, is 
esteemed, when mixed in an ointment with hog's 
lard, as a cure for scorbutic ulcers, and, it is said, 
a strong decoction of this plant will cure the 
measles in pigs ; it grows on the banks of the Newry 
water. 

The mentha aquatica, or water-mint, is too well 
known to require any comment, and is found in 
all the low grounds and marshes in this county. 

Amongst the ornamental aqueous plants, many 
of which are medicinal, are the lysimachia, or loose- 
strife ; the ly thrum salkaria, or purple loose- 
strife ; the menyanthesy or purple buck-bean, which 
is extremely beautiful ; the thalictrum flavum, or 
meadow rue, which I found on the lake side near 
the summit of Slieve-Guillien, and, on the river 
side, near the village of Middleton ; the typha, 
angustiYolia, or narrow leafed catVtail which pro- 
1 2 duces 



n6 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

duces a fine down, and certainly might be turned 
to useful account, in stuffing cushions, &(c. To 
these may be added a collection of curious plants, 
which flourish in the marshes, on the borders of 
Lough-Neagh, and will afford a pleasing variety 
to the researches of the botanist. 



( i! \r. 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH, u? 



CHAP. II. 
STATE OF PROPERTY. 



Sect. 1. Estates. 

A VERY considerable tract of the lands of this 
county is church and college property, and the ma* 
nagement of estates requires much cleverness in 
their regulation to the mutual advantages of the 
landlord and tenant. The parcels of ground, or 
farms, if I may so call them, being very small and 
numerous ; rents being paid so irregularly, on ac- 
count of the many divisions of these little plots; 
the attention necessary for proportioning turf bog 
and approaches to each littfe farm ; and the judi- 
cious laying out of new roads, are together fully 
adequate to employ the time of an active agent, 
who will also have no small trouble in his magis- 
terial capacity to adjust disputes amongst the te- 
nantry. 



Ssct. 



si» STATISTICAL SURVEY 



Sect. 2. Tenures. 

The property of Armagh is of three descrip- 
tions, freehold, church, and college lands; the 
two latter descriptions considerably exceeding the 
first, in many parts of the county. 

Leases in perpetuity are not numerous, nor of 
great value ; the terms are but short, twenty-one 
years and a life, or a life only ; some are for 
thirty-one years, or three lives, and on account of 
the short tenure few are under value. Landed pro- 
perty is in much demand, and a small estate well 
circumstanced will bring from twenty-five to thirty 
years purchase ; few large estates have been offered 
for sale. 

There are some great properties in college lands 
to the first lessee, but the occupying tenantry pay 
the full value ; where farms are so small, the land 
seldom suffers in the same manner as great tracts 
of church land, which are seen in various parts 
cf Ireland, where the lease is but during the in- 
of the incumbent, in the heart of a country, 
where the surrounding farms are leased for a long 
term of years, and where such tenures are* tne 
custom of the country : in such places, it is very 
discouraging for a wealthy farmer to have any 

thins 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 119 

thing to do with church lands, as his improvements 
cannot even be secured to him during his own life, 
or the life of his landlord, but he may at any time 
be deprived of the fruits of his industry, by the 
incumbent changing his living, as his interest then 
terminates, during which only he could set. 

The church and college lands in this county 
are, of course, subject to all these inconveniencies; 
yet from the great extent of the linen trade, land 
is in such demand, and, from the similarity of ad- 
joining tenures, even on freehold property, in respect 
of duration, few leases being longer than twenty- 
one years, or a life, the grievance is scarcely felt, 
and the farms are in no less esteem. 

But one advantage so materially, and, from what 
I have seen, almost solely enjoyed in this county 
is, that the occupying tenant has no lazy middle- 
man between him and his landlord. Where there 
are large farms, none of which are met here, as 
much land is generally set b}^ the original lessee at a 
rack rent, as will leave himself a great portion, 
and the prime of the farm, rent free ; but, where 
agriculture is not the main pursuit, and gives place, 
as here, to manufacture, there are. so many bidders 
for farms at a high rent, that it is the interest of 
the landlord to give each tenant only sufficient 
ground for his famify, and thus none can be spared 
to a middleman. In asserting that this baneful 

system 



iao STATISTICAL SURVEY 

system is not felt here, it must be understood that 
the original lessees of church and college property 
are not rated as middlemen ; they should, more 
properly speaking, be termed the head landlords, 
as those establishments, to which they are annexed, 
in few instances derive from the original lessees a 
tenth, or more, of the rental, which they them- 
selves receive, and the equal estimation of such 
tenures is the best proof there is no grievance in 
this respect to the occupying tenantry. 



Sect. 3. Rental, 

The rental of the cultivated parts of Armagh, 
including the reclaimed spots in every district 
through the county, may be rated, on an average, 
at 2.55. per acre. The tenures are almost all in 
English acres; those parts of the mountains and 
other wastes,, which bring but a very low rent, 
are few, in comparison with the like tracts in 
other counties ; and as Armagh is allowed to be the 
most populous county, so must its lands be in the 
greatest demand, and they, of course, are en- 
hanced by the superior excellence of the soil. Per- 
haps a fifteenth part of the county only is not in 
profit, including towns, villages, bog, mountain, 
wood, and water, which let us deduct from the 

grosi 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. in 

gross number of acres, which pay rent, the re- 
mainder at the supposed valuation of 255. per acre, 
plantation measure, the average of the cultivated 
lands, will produce the gross rent of about 209,000/. \ 
This calculation has been tried different ways and 
found nearly to agree, by striking off the probable 
superficial waste, and uncultivated spots, whether 
from sterility or local circumstances, as water, &c. 
by computation of the allowed population propor- 
tioned to the number of acres, and by the reports of 
the statistical surve} T s of counties bordering on 
Armagh. 

Let the reader view the waters and mountains, 
as laid down in the best maps of the counties of 
Ulster, or, if he is acquainted with the province, 
bring those wastes to his memory, and he will find 
that a deduction of one fifteenth in the superficial 
area of the county, not in profitable culture, will 
be nearly the proportion, and that 25s. per acre 
will be about the average rental of the occupying 
tenantry. 



Sect. 






STATISTICAL SURVEY 



Sect. 4. Landed Proprietors. 

Alphabetical abstract of the names of gentlemen, 
tyho have freehold property in Armagh, with the re- 
sidence of such as have houses in the county, specify- 
ing the barony, in which each property is situated. 

County at large. 

His Grace the Lord Primate. 



Barony of Armagh. 



A ? *. Proprietors Nav:ts % 

i, Blakely, Esq. 



Places of Pisidencit 

Anne-ville. 



OhstrvatUnt. 



2, Charlemont, Earl No residence. 

3, Close, Rev. Mr. Elm Park, 

4, Cremorne, Viscount No residence. 



5, Farnham, Earl 



No residence. 



^These are the only 
freehold land own- 
ers in the barony of 
Armagh ; the re- 
Nmainder of the 
lands consist of 
church and college 
Vproperty. 

A great property 
under the college 
of Dublin, on 
which is a valuable 
mine. 

No. 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. ft* 



Nt. Proprietors Names % Places of Residence, 

6, Hickey, John, Esq. Tullamore. 

7, Holmes, Esq. Hew Holland. 

8, Johnston, — - Esq. Nappa. 

9, Levingston, ■■ ■ ■ » ■ Esq. Armagh. 

10, Maxwell, John, Esq. No residence. 
H 9 , Rev. Henry Ditto. 

j 2, , Robert, Esq. Elm Park. 

13, M'Can, Robert, Esq. Armagh. 

14, McCartney, — Esq. Rosebrook. 

15, M'Gough, Joseph, Esq. near Armagh. 

16, Perry, — Esq. Armagh. 

17, Scott, —Esq. near Armagh. 
iS, Simpson, — Esq. near Armagh. 



Ohervat'Sir, 



These ttrcc 
( prietors hold an 
immense estate un- 
'der the college of 
Dublin. 



Barony of Turenny. 

Places of Rtsidenee, Qhstrvation:. 

Bondville. 
No residence. 

Ditto. 

Ditto 
Gcsford. 
6, Hamilton, Robert, Esq. No residence. 

fA minor, his seat 
in the occupation 
of Mr. Burgess. 
No. 



No* Proprietors Names, 

1, Bond, — Esq. 

2, Caledon, Earl 

3, Charlemont, Earl 

4, Cross, — Esq. 

5, Gosford, Viscount 



•24 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

No. Proprietors Names % Placet of Residence, Observations. 

Purchased by Doc- 
tor Sterne, and be- 
queathed by him to 
trustees for certain 
charitable uses. 

No residence. 

No residence. 

!This seat in the, 
occupation of Cap- 
tain Waring, 
Churchhill. 



I, Middleton estate 



9, Pringle, — - Esq 
10, Steele, — Esq. 



ix, Strong, Rev. Mr 
la, Verner, — Esq. 



Barony of O'Neiland West. 



3?o. Proprietors Names, Plates of Residence, Ohstrvationtt 

1, Ashmur, — Esq. Newry. 

2, Brownlow, W. Esq. Lurgan, 

3, Charlemont, Earl No residence, 

!This seat in the 
occupation of Co* 
loael Cope. 

5, — — , Colonel Ditto. 

6, Dungannon, Viscount, No residence. 

7, Forbes, — Esq. Ditto. 

8, Harden, — Esq. Harrybrooki 

9, Hardy, — Esq, Drammart. 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 125 

Observations, 



Nt, Proprietors Names t 

10, Kelly, — Esq. 

11, Lawson, — Esq. 

12, Marks, — Esq. 



Places of Residence t 

Armagh. 



13, M'Craight, — Esq. New Grove. 

14, M'Gough, — Esq. near Armagh. 

15, Molesworth, A. Esq, Fairlawn. 

16, Molyneux, Sir CapelBt. Castle Dillon. 
*7> i T. Esq. No residence, 

18, Newton, — Esq. Ditto. 

19, Obins, — Esq. Portadown. 

20, Obre, — Esq. Clantelew. 

21, O'Donnell, —Esq. Summer island. 

22, Richardson, W. Esq. Richill. 
2$) Shields, — Esq. Hockley, 

24, Verner, -— Esq. Churchhill. 

25, Wakefield, —Esq. No residence. 

26, Workman, Miss Mahon. 



f Now called Waw. 
1 kenshaw's grove 



Barony of CFNeiland East. 



No. Proprietors Names, Places of Itesi'enct, 
I, Blacker, Rev. Dean, Carrick. 
2} Brownlow, W. Esq. Lurgan. 



Observations. 



AV 



126 



STATISTICAL SURVEY 



No. Profntiors Natncs % Places of Res':Jente % 



Qbisrvatio;, 



3, Burgess, — Esq. 

4, Cope, ArchdalJ, Esq. 

5, Cuppage, Colonel 

6, Fivey, John, Esq. 

7, Ford, James, Esq. 

8, Grier, Joseph, Esq. 

9, Hall, John, Esq. 
10, Magennis, — Esq. 
Hi M'Veagh, — Esq. 

12, Robinson, — Esq. 

13, Sparrow, Colonel 

14, Turner, — Esq. 

15, Waddell, — Esq. 



Wood Park. 

Drummilly. 

Silverwood. 

Knocknamuekly, 

No residence. 

Eliza Hill. 

Lurgan. 

Waringstown, 

Lurgan. 

Lilo. 

Tanderagee. 

Newry. 

Springfield. 



Barony of Lower Orior 



N«. Proprietors Names, Places ef Residence, Qhervaticn:. 



j, Bell, —Esq. 
9, Cope, Henry Esq. 

3, Dawson, Colonel 



4» De Salis, Count 



Pointz Pass* 

No residence. 

Clare Castle. J ^ the occupation 
I of Mr. Leigh. 

/* Inherits the estate 

__ ., \ ofLord Fane joint- 

No residence. •< . c 

J ly with the Earl of 

V^andwich. 

to; 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 127 

No. Proprietors Names , Places of Rtsidcnct, QkstrvathnT. 

Hanna.-Esq.Re-l ActoB _ 



preservatives 



Esq. Re- 7 
ives of J 



6, Harden, — Esq. Harrybrook. 

Leyingston, Rev. Mr. | Q\^ t 



Representatives of j 



8, Lofty, Win. Esq. 

9, Macartney, — Esq. 
10, M'ConweJI, — Esq. 
ii, More, — Esq. 



12, Sandwich, Earl of No residence. 



13, Sparrow, Colonel 



Tanderagee. 

No residence. 

MuIIavilly. 

Drumbanagher. 

/'Inherits the estate 
j of Lord Fane joint- 
j ly with the Count 
(j)e Salis 

Tanderagee, 



Barony of Upper" Orior. 

No. Proprietors Names y Places tf Residence, 

1, Atkinson, George, Esq. Flour Mills. 

2, Ball, — Esq. Crossmaglin. 

3, Barton, Mrs. Forkhill Lodge. 

4, Charlemont, Earl No residence. 

5, Corry, Rt. Hon. Isaac Berrymore. 

6, Courtney, — Esq. Southwark. 

7, Hall, — Esq. No residence. 

8, Jackson, Mrs. Forkhill. 

9, Jones, — Esq. No residence. 



Observatitftf* 



m. 



125 



STATISTICAL SURVEY 



A T «. Proprietors Names^ Placet of Residence^ 

10, Moore, — Esq. Drumbanagher. 

11, M'Neale, J. Esq. No residence. 

12, M*Neale, Neale, Esq. Jonesborough. 

13, Needham, — Esq. No residence. 

14, Seaver, — Esq. Heath Hall. 

15, Turner, — Esq. Newry. 

16, Whaley, — Esq. No residence. 



Cbitrvatient. 



++0*+ 



Barony of Lower Fews. 



No. Proprietors Names , Places of Residence ', 

1, Acheson, Hon. Col. Gosford. 

2, Charleniont, Earl 

3, Gosford, Viscount 

4, Haywood, — Esq. 

5, Reed, — Esq. 

6, Synnot, Sir W. Bart 

7, Vernon, — Esq. 

8, Wilson, — Esq. 



Obstrvatifl*.* , 



No residence. 

Gosford. 

No residence. 

Ballymoier. 

Ballymoier Lodge. 

Hockley, now set to Mr. Shields. 

No residence. 



Barony of Upper Fexvs. 



No. Prtprlttors Namu y 

1, Ball, — Esq. 

2, Charleniont, Earl 



Places of Retidence t 

Crossmoglin. 
No residence. 



Ohstnatipnt. 



N: 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 129 



( Ditto. 



No. Prtprietors Names, Places of Residence, 

3, Eastwood, F. Esq. No refidence. 

^ Wj R ev John, Ditto. 

5, Hamilton, Right Rev. 

Doctor, Bishop of 
Ossory, 

6, Henecy, — Esq. 

7, Hill, — Esq. 

8, Kelly, Rev. Mr. 

9, M'Can, — Esq. 

10, M'Comb, — Esq. 

11, M'Gough, — Esq. 

1 2, M'Masters, — Esq. near Cullaville. 

13, O'Callaghan, O. Esq. Cullaville. 

1 4, Reed, Joseph, Esq. Jun* Ballymoier. 



Ditto. 
Ditto. 

Armagh. 
Carritt. 
No residence, 
near Armagh. 



Observations. 



CHAP. 



30 STATISTICAL SURVEY 



CHAP. III. 



BUILDINGS. 



Slct. l. Public Buildings. 

TO the princely liberality of the late Lord 
Rokeby this county is indebted for the numerous 
elegant public buildings, that environ and adorn 
her metropolis, which, from his Grace's care and 
attention, may well be said to possess also the most 
elegant built streets, the best regulated police, and 
the most numerous advantages cf any inland town 
in Ireland. When we shall speak of the town in its 
proper place,* the public buildings wiil be particiv- 
larly described. 

The several towns and villages in the county 
have the general characteristic of neatness and pro- 
portion in their buildings, as will also be shewn 
in the course of the work. 

The 

* Sec Chap. 13. Sect. I. 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 131 

The churches throughout this county, and indeed 
through this whole metropolitan diocess, are ex- 
tremely well appointed, simple and chaste in their 
architecture, and display a lightness and elegance 
for which they are justly admired. 



Sect. 2. Houses of the Gentry. 

The magnificent palace erected by Lord Rokeby, 
during his primacy, being detached from the town 
and surrounded by a beautiful demesne, may be 
styled under this section, and is unquestionably the 
most magnificent building in the county. 

The majority of the most wealthy proprietors* 
houses are quite in the old style of architecture, and 
have been the castles of their day ; they are ge- 
nerally erected in low situations, under shelter of 
a hill; and the wealth, not the taste of, the pro- 
prietors, is exhibited in these bulky mansions. 

The erection of many of these are the covenants, 
by which the original proprietors enjoyed their 
grants ; they must have been considered in those 
times as magnificent edifices, and were so strongly 
fortified, as to leave no apprehensions of attack or 
surprise ; the apartments, however, possess all tha 
K 2 comfort 



n* STATISTICAL SURVEY 

comfort and convenience, for which antique buildings 
are remarkable. 

In the more modern mansions we see compactness, 
and a correct style of architecture, but few of them 
are on a large scale; they will, however, bespoken 
of in another part of the work. 



Sect. 3. Farm-houses, and Offices. 

This description of buildings ranks in the middle 
class, between the gentleman's house and the cot- 
tage, and, strictly speaking, is scarcely to be found 
in this county. The more industrious, yet less 
wealthy occupier than the gentry, in other coun- 
ties, is the respectable farmer, who acquires his 
property by the pursuit of husbandry ; but here, 
this middle class is engaged in the linen business ; 
we cannot call his a farm house, 'tis more properly 
a manufactory ; agriculture is but a secondary con- 
sideration, and he will not be encumbered with 
more land in his own occupation than is necessary for 
his business. The habitations of this respectable 
class may be more justly ranked under the head of 
the preceding section ; and to such houses arc an- 
nexed excellent and commodious offices, besides all 
the necessary buildings for conducting their works, 
mills, &c. % 

Sect. 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 133 



Sect. 4. Manufacturers' Houses, and Cottages. 

These habitations, of the better kind, are similar 
to the small farm-houses in other counties, and are 
generally confined to a ground floor ; the apart- 
ments consist of a kitchen, dairy, and perhaps se- 
veral small bed-rooms, and a workshop. It is to 
be regretted, that the sedentary employment of the 
weaver has been rendered still more unwholesome 
by his being obliged to shut up so many windows 
and chimneys of his house to evade the taxes. 
Ground floors particularly require ventilation and 
frequent fires in the apartment, but in many of 
these cottages there is no admittance of air but 
through the door. 

Such defects might be remedied, to the better 
health and comfort of the manufacturer and pea- 
sant, and, perhaps, to the improvement of the re- 
venue ; the partial repeal could not hurt these taxes, 
as the people deprive themselves of the light and 
necessary air rather than submit to the imposition. 

The offices of this description of houses consist 
of a cow-house, stable, and pig-st} r , generally 
under one roof, thatched with straw, and the walls of 
mud. The cottage is also thatched, but the walls 
are built of stone and mortar. 

The 



134 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

The wealthy weavers have all their houses of 
stone, and the apartments fully correspond with 
the engaging and neat exterior, and are remarka- 
ble for comfort and cleanliness. 

Bog oak is esteemed very much for roofing, 
but in many places the country affords so little tim- 
ber, that the}' are obliged to use foreign deal, which 
comes very expensive. 

The miserable hovel of the lowest class, which 
so often wounds our feelings in other parts of Ire- 
land, is scarce!)" to be seen here, nor does that 
squalid poverty or filth disgust the traveller, which 
more southern provinces too often display, and which 
is perhaps less to be found in Armagh than in any 
other county in Ulster. The meanest hut has 
something of neatness to recommend it; almost in 
every one the exterior is white-washed, and the 
roof well thatched, with a neatly enclosed little gar- 
den, affording abundance of esculent vegetables, 
and 'also a pleasing relaxation from the sedentary 
labours of the loom. 

Happy country, whose very peasantry feel the 
blessings of independence, resulting from their own 
honest exertions ; whose labour is not bestowed on 
an ungracious soil, or a precarious manufacture, 
and is sweetened with the hopes of sure reward, 
which, when gained, is not lavished in idleness or 
dissipation, but wisely applied to the encrcasing 

the 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 135 

the comforts, and advancing the respectability and 
independence of a well civilized and industrious 
community. 

On reviewing the subject of this chapter, we will 
find the public buildings elegant and commodious, 
the mansions of proprietors, in general, more of 
the antique ostentatious style than of modern 
or chaste architecture ; the houses of respectable 
gentry, more engaged in business, neat and well 
finished ; and the farm-houses, and cottages, indis- 
putably comfortable, cleanly, and well appointed, 
with the exception of a great privation of light and 
ventilation. 



CHAP 



t3* STATISTICAL SURVEY 



CHAP. IV. 



MODE OF OCCUPATION. 



Sect. 1. Size of Farms. 



THE soil being excellent, the pursuit of manu- 
facture, and the population very numerous, are the 
Causes of the small size of farms, which are of so 
little extent as to leave the average of the county 
at less than five acres. Industrious and wealthy 
people are fond of seeing their children early pro- 
viding for themselves; the various arts of the linen 
manufacture are easily acquired, even by children ; 
and young folks are, in this county, soon obliged 
to lend their labour, or are sent out, on their own 
account, to commence a livelihood ; a scrap of 
land is now the great desideratum for a cow's grass, 
and a garden, nor does the indulgent parent often 
refuse a portion of his own scanty plot, to ensure 
the comforts of the young people. Marriages are 

therefore 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 137 

therefore encouraged, and take place very early ; 
this is by no means a secondary cause of the sub- 
division of farms, or of the great value of land. 

Proprietors find it in their account to let land 
in small parcels, as the weaver will pay for just 
what suits his own convenience, in the vicinity of a 
good market town, much more, than could be af- 
forded for a large farm, the rent of which is to be 
made by the business of agriculture. 

To these we also may add another cause, that 
the political interest of the proprietor is greatly en- 
creased in the county, though I must here do justice 
to the general spirit of independence in the electors 
of Armagh by remarking, that it must be some- 
thing more than extent of property, which will en- 
sure to the landlord the disposal of his tenants 
votes ; they feel the value of their franchise, and 
on these occasions frequently take the liberty of 
thinking for themselves, and deciding perhaps ex- 
actly contrary to the choice and interest of their 
landlord. 

Though the average size of farms is certainly 
small, yet there are some of large extent ; these 
are principally situated in the Fews mountains, and 
afford a good pasturage for young cattle, and this 
may be considered the second or the other kind of 
division. I speak not of demesne ground occupied 
b}' the gentry, nor of the tracts which bleachers 

occupy 



15* STATISTICAL SURVEY 

occupy for their greens ; these, though numerous, 
are not subservient to the business of husbandry, 
cither in arable or pasture. 

The occupation of the first, or more numerous 
class, is merely for the raising of provisions for the 
people employed in the linen manufacture. 

The second, and but inconsiderable, is pasturage 
for young cattle. 

More minutely considering the former, the size 
of their farms seldom amounts to twenty acres, and 
often does not exceed one or two ; many of these far- 
mers are master weavers, and are styled manufactu- 
rers ; though they do not work at the loom, they em- 
ploy many weavers ; their time is occupied at market 
chiefly in procuring yarn for their journeymen, or 
disposing of their webs ; where a man of this de- 
scription settles, and is so fortunate as to get a 
few acres, he soon establishes a manufacturing 
village around him, with those families to whom 
he gives employment. 



Sect. 2. Character of Farmer \% 

As the pursuits of husbandry, exclusively oc- 
cupying the attention of the people, are scarcely 

to 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 139 

to be found any where in tins county, it is difficult 
to point out the farmer unconnected with manu- 
facture. Under this head, therefore, we cannot 
distinctly speak of such a person. 

From early habits of industry, and the knowledge 
of the value of labour even children accumulate 
money, and feel a degree of independence ; and as 
money is the reward of labour, so it is more prized 
when acquired by industry ; thus, a knowledge of 
the world, and the value of various commodities 
are learned at a very early period, and, perhaps 
from this circumstance, more knowing and clever 
dealers are not to be met with than in this province. 

The many wise and strict regulations, which re- 
late to the linen business, and the impartial distri- 
bution of justice in its laws, defy dishonesty in a 
great measure, and it is rarely attempted in the 
various dealings of the trade. ; but a very strong 
propensity to a traffic in horse flesh generally pre- 
vails, and perhaps in no county in Ireland is jockey- 
ship practised with more extraordinary enterprize, 
shameless fraud, or greater success ; the knowledge 
of recipes for disguising the blemishes of this most 
generous and useful animal, the quickest and most 
injurious methods of what is termed getting him into 
condition, and the many cruelties practised to 
make him appear spirited and lively, are esteemed 
as invaluable nostrums, and are withheld from the 

nearest 



M o STATISTICAL SURVEY 

nearest relatives and neighbours with close and mys- 
terious secrecy, each jockey confiding in his own 
superior judgment and knavery, and the infallibility 
of his remedies. To disclose this valuable know- 
ledge, he considers, would be the same as furnish- 
ing his competitors, in the trade, with materials 
against his own interest. 

If this general abuse through Ulster may be of- 
fered in extenuation of any particular county, It 
is less excuseable, though in no place more gene- 
rally practised, than in Armagh. 

The people ought to be more honest, as being 
more wealthy, and better informed than their neigh- 
bours, and the increasing demand for the article 
of their trade leaves them totally independent of 
any secondary pursuit. 

So greatly has this mania raged here, that the 
ambition of acquiring an excellence in the art, or 
what they term a name, has actually been the in- 
ducement, rather than the profit which might 
arise k from the traffic. I mention it with regret, 
but truth compels me to remark this provincial 
disgrace, and it is strange, that the man, who with 
the most bare faced effrontery will endeavour to 
defraud his neighbour in this dealing, would not 
perhaps attempt an] imposition in any other, and 
with the most scrupulous exactness would refrain 

from 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. i 4 t 

from the infraction of all the exterior marks of re- 
ligious duties. 

Hence it may be concluded, that the transactions 
at fairs are not the most respectable. 

If the character of the people were to depend on 
the exposition of their dealings at such places, little 
could be said to their credit. 



Sect. 3. Rent. 



Rent is always paid in specie, where leases exist, 
Cottiers, who indeed are few, and the journeymen 
of manufacturers pay their rent in personal services ; 
as none but verbal covenants subsist with this latter 
description of tenants, they are only bound so 
long as it is their own and their employers' mutual 
pleasure or benefit. Some duties, which ought to 
be considered as rent, exist in leases at times, but 
are not exacted. The tenant should, however, un- 
derstand that a receipt for such is necessary, as well 
as for the rent in money, nor would a liberal land- 
lord, who scorns to exact these degrading relicks 
of the feudal system, refuse to give a receipt for 
them 3 or strike them out of the lease altogether. 

All 



i 4 2 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

All rent is paid in specie, which is a great emo- 
lument to the agent of a large estate ; he sells the 
gold to the linen merchant, at from two to three or 
four per cent in exchange, for bank notes, the entire 
of the linen trade being carried on with specie 
only. At fairs, or markets, the purchaser must pay 
in specie, or allow the discount, except there is 
a previous agreement that bank notes will be 
taken. 



Sect. 4. Tithes. 



A subject of so great importance, as should tend 
to any alteration or revolution in the church, should 
be touched with peculiar caution. 

It is complained, that animadversions on this 
subject have been too freely discussed in some of 
the Statistical Surveys, which have been already 
published. What I have offered to public consi- 
deration, was with diffidence and caution, to avoid 
giving offence, and indeed with great reluctance. 
But the subject of tithes being an article laid down 
by the Dublin Societv in their detail to be enquired 
into, it is the duty of the reporter to declare truths, 

and 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 143 
and, in exposing errors, to point out remedies for 
their amendment. 

That in this system there are errors and abuses, 
very destructive to the real interests of agriculture, 
cannot be denied, and it should, however, be re- 
membered, that such errors are sanctioned by the 
laws of the land. When parties and troubles have 
subsided, it is to be hoped that the legislature will 
seriously think of correcting the evil, nor suffer 
the idle bugbear of the danger of the church by 
any amendment in this system to deter them from 
considering the subject. In the mean time, a 
fair and honorable compromise between the incum- 
bent and his parishioners, by an acreable assess- 
ment, would greatly lighten the burthen. Tithe- 
proctors would thus be dispensed with, nor 
would the poor man feel the effect of his griping 
avarice. 

I have seen many instances, where a reasonable 
composition ensured peace and harmony with the 
pastor and his flock ; in this case, the former is 
much better paid, and the latter scarcely feels the 
charge. 



Sect, 



[44 STATISTICAL SURVEY 



Sect. 5. Leases. 

Much of this county is held under church and 
college leases, -which of course are not freehold. 

Other properties are leased generally in freehold, 
for lives and years, or lives only. 

Twenty-one years, provided the incumbent's 
interest so long continues, is the term of church 
leases. 

Several leases of private property are for the 
term of twenty-one years, and one, two, or three 
lives ; thirty-one years and three lives are rarely 
granted. The more general term is for one life 
and twenty-one years, some few fcr a life, or lives 
only, and very few indeed are leased in perpe- 
tuity. 

Clauses in Lease*. 

The penalties are not insisted on, when there is 
any infraction of clauses; but the restrictions are 
not numerous, nor burthensome, even were they 
exacted. 

The 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 145 

The most useful restrictive clause would be to 
prohibit alienation of lands if it could be effected, 
but great difficulties bar its operation. The in- 
terference of the middleman between the landlord 
and occupying tenant is universally allowed t© 
stand as a total eclipse between agriculture and im- 
provement. 



CHAP. 



H6 statistical survey 



CHAP. V. 



Implements. 

HITHERTO the implements of husbandry have 
been very few, and are only encreasing in demesne 
grounds. A light plough, harrow, and spade, 
only, are required to cultivate the lands. A wheel- 
barrow, and boxed car for carrying home turf and 
potatoes, or for putting out manure, make the 
sum of their farming utensils, all of the com- 
monest and most unwieldy shape. 

Those gentry, who have introduced improved 
implements of husbandry, will be mentioned in the 
baronial survey, thirteenth chapter. 

The Scotch plough seems very well adapted for 
this soil, and it is rather encreasing in repute, and, 
from the exact and peculiar formation of the mould- 
board, it is strongly recommended. 

The 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 14? 

The harrows are very light with short teeth, 
and are but poorly effective. 

I would recommend Mr. Christy's* farming ap- 
paratus, to be carefully inspected by amateurs. 
This gentleman's mechanical abilities are well cal- 
culated to make improvements in the art, which 
he has in no small measure fully evinced ; his modes 
of cultivation and management are ingenious and 
complete, and every implement of real use, or 
■which tends^to diminish labour, is found in his farm- 
yard. 

Much of the labour is manual, as the farms are 
so small, and it is performed principally with the 
spade and shovel. 



Prices of Implements* 

£. s. d. 
Spade, - - » 0:6:0 

Shovel, - - - 0:2:6 

Fork, - - - 0:1:6 

Plough, - - - 2:5:6 

l 2 Harrow, 

* Mr. John Christy resides in the county of Down at 
Kircassock, just adjoining the county of Armagh, about 



two or three miles from Lurgan. 



48 STATISTICAL SURVEY 




£> s. d, 


Harrow, - 


1:2:9 


Car with creels, and boxed, - 


2:16: 10j 


Wheelbarrow, 


0:11 : 4} 


Hay-rake, - 


0:7:1 



Handles for forks, shovels, &c. &c. 0:0:8 



CHAP. 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH, 149 



CHAP. VI. 



INCLOSING, 



Sect. 1. Thorn fences, hedges. 

IN this well-civilized country the thorn fences 
are generally well taken care of, and look very 
neat and comfortable ; the smallness of the fields, 
and the numerous orchards which these close thorn- 
hedges surround, give a woody appearance, though 
actually but with few timber trees ; this holds 
through the civilized part of the county, and indeed 
even in the mountainous district we see such im- 
provements getting forward with more than gradual 
progress. 

Thorn fences are of all others the most desirable, 
affording shade, shelter, security, and profit; but 
before we attempt planting, our consideration should 
be directed to the nature of the soil, to know what 

plants 



150 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

plants or shrubs are best suited to it. In moist soils 
the black alder is found to be superior to the willow, 
and also makes a good fence ; but it is erroneous, 
that it will not thrive in dry grounds also, as some 
writers have alledgcd. The alder will be very ea- 
sily propagated by layers, and the willow by plants 
raised in the nursery, and should be put out in 
winter ; if deferred till the spring, it will be diffi- 
cult to accomplish it with success. The shoots 
should be two years old at least before transplanting, 
and, to constitute a very ornamental fence, should be 
put in the ground in two rows, at opposite or con- 
trary directions, forming a diamond, or resembling 
the mesh of a net, and the tops secured together 
With plaited osiers ; this makes a very beautiful 
inclosure, and soon becomes a very firm and strong 
lasting fence. 

In all hedges to be planted, one matter should 
be kept in constant remembrance. If the hedge 
thrives slowly, and tends to decay when young, 
cutting the plants, to within an inch or two of the 
surface, will insure a quick and vigorous growth 
of shoots, which may then be trained to any shape 
or form. This operation ought never be delayed 
till the spring, by which time the buds should be 
shooting, and only a few leading ones suffered to 
remain on the stem, or they would otherwise be 
numerous and good for nothing. The culture of 

the 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 151 

the white and black thorn is so well known as 
to render any thing on this subject superflu- 
ous, more than advising the young plants to be 
carefully weeded, and new and rich earth stirred 
in about the roots of the quicks ; but let us now 
consider their preservation, and the modes of re- 
newing those which have decayed. When the young 
quick is not of a vigorous appearance and looks 
dwindling, it should be immediately removed by a 
fresh one from the nursery ; but the great mischief 
or neglect, which prevents these hedges from coming 
to perfection, is the want of a temporary fence dur- 
ing their infancy, to protect them from cattle ; dead 
thorn stuck in the ground, and made firm, is the 
best preservative, and will hold good during the 
time the quicks will be arriving to maturity and 
hardihood. In planting thorn fences, it would be 
a matter of ornament, and of great profit, to inter- 
sperse crab-thorn at proper distances, which would 
be so valuable for cider, and its toppings useful 
for many purposes ; large gaps and openings in old 
thorn fences cannot be restored by young quicks, 
which will never prosper in such places ; I have seen 
old plants dug up, and transplanted into gaps with 
great success ; or, if the thorns at either side of 
the opening are long enough to meet, it is most 
adviseable to plash that part of the hedge ; this is 
too frequently but a slovenly operation, and when 

- the 



i$i STATISTICAL SURVEY 

the bough is nicked and laid, it is kept down only 
by the weight of a crumbling sod thrown lightly on 
it, which every rain diminishes ; the true way to 
plash thorn hedges is to procure sharp pointed stakes 
of about two feet long, tolerably strong and pointed 
at the end, with a crook at the head ; this crook 
should confine the branch, and the stake should be 
malleted into the bank of the ditch to a proper 
depth, after which a layer of good earth should be 
thrown on the surface, which has been previously 
stirred ; the elasticity of the branch is confined thus 
by the stake, not by the weight of earth, and from 
whatever small branches the mould will cover, new 
shoots will appear as from layers. 

Bryony is very destructive to young quicks, and 
r.oon choaks them, from the extraordinary size of 
its roots, the tendrils from them, and their enor- 
mous length. 

Bindweed is a so closely entangling plant, as to 
choak the shoot after it gets up, as also are several 
other injurious plants which ought to be carefully 
weeded out. 

Our limits will not allow a more minute enquiry 
into this subject, but the farmer should understand, 
that the great profit he would enjoy in early spring 
grass, and its preservation from the nipping frosts 
at this season, is produced from shelter ; and of no 
small consequence is the shade to his cattle in sum- 
mer ; 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 155 

mer; the fruit, which may be yielded from a ju- 
dicious intermixture of cider trees ; the wood, which 
is afforded for various purposes of husbandry as 
well as for fuel ; the security of the crops from 
cattle or interlopers ; the warmth, the neatness, 
and comfort, which a well inclosed farm possesses, will 
always command an appreciation above its value, 
and insures character, respect, and applause to 
the farmer, who has it in his occupation. 



Sect. 2. Paling, 



This mode of fencing is rarely met in Ireland, 
though so generally practised in England. Perhaps 
its success is enjoyed from the better civilization of 
the people ; and so much greater is the reproach 
to magistrates and country gentlemen, who do not 
put the laws in force aud protect improvements. 
In many parts of England, where fuel is the scarcest 
and dearest article in life, we see these fences stand 
unmolested for ages, which here would not be left 
a single night. The great emulation in the spirit 
of improvement, which now so happily prevails, will 
only be successful by a rigid observance of the laws 
against defaulters. 

Park- 



154 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

Park-paling is a very lasting and secure fence ; 
it may be objected to as not ornamental, but it pro- 
duces the desired purpose of inclosure immediately, 
and, if offensive to the eye, it is easily planted out 
of sight with quick growing ever-greens, which 
soon become a fence in themselves, if judiciously 
planted. 

Oak-paling is far preferable to all other kinds, 
and should, if possible, be procured, it being more 
lasting and far cheaper than any other, taking all 
circumstances into consideration. These pales 
should be cloven or sawed in thin scantlings ; if left 
thick, they become too heavy, and are apt to de- 
cay sooner; and it must be observed, that the tim- 
ber for this purpose should be cut in winter. I 
have in a preceding chapter shewn how this can 
be done without losing the bark. 

If the paling is high or above six feet, it becomes 
necessary to secure it at top by a rail fashioned in 
a triangular shape, so as to let off the rain. 

Low paling has a rail about the centre, but this 
receives the wet and hastens its decay, and some 
palings are made without any rail, but are drove 
deep into the ground, and placed close together ; 
this is an expeditious mode of fencing, and, where 
the soil is not stony, is made with little expence ; 
it has also the advantage of being either temporary 
or lasting, and is often used as a shelter and pro- 
tection 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 15s 

tection for a young plantation, till it is arrived at 
sufficient maturity. 

A well constructed paling will hold good for 
fifty years, and there is no fence so cheap. 



Sect. 3. Walls. 

For security, shelter, and duration, walls are, 
of course, to be preferred to all other modes of in- 
closing, but the great expence of these works is the 
best argument against their adoption. 

A cheap kind of wall, which is easily reared up, 
and is seen in several parts of England, is termed 
a dyke ; this consists of two slight walls of dry 
stone, or sometimes mortared, about three or four 
feet asunder at bottom, and about one at top, 
and five or six feet in height ; the intermediate 
space is filled with earth ; this fence, if not made 
with judgment, will be apt to crumble, burst, and 
decay, and excepting that the stones are convenient 
to be picked off the ground to be inclosed, they are 
hardly worth the cost of drawing ; but dykes made 
of rushy sods are very durable, as they can be cut 
square with exactness, and laid regularly like brick- 
work, one sod covering the opening of the two 
underneath it, and projecting so as to throw off 

the 



156 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

the drop, and prevent bursting ; this is made still 
more secure by digging a small ditch at either side 
of the dyke, which gives it additional height in pro- 
portion to the depth of the ditch, and prevents cattle 
from injuring it ; the clay from this ditch may be 
thrown into the trench, which was made to procure 
the mould for the centre of the dyke, but the ditch 
cannot be made with safety till the dyke is com- 
pleted ; this fence will remain good for forty or fifty 
years ; even cottage walls are formed in this man- 
ner, and are very warm. It must be observed, that 
this mode of fencing will not afford the same warmth 
or shelter to the land, which will be acquired from 
a hedge ; the expence of this dyke* will, exclu- 
sive of the ditches, amount to about sixpence the 
running perch. 

Dry walls judiciously built, coped or sodded at 
top, and dashed, are a cheap and lasting fence, but, 
where a gateway is left, there should be a pier 
built with lime-mortar and good stone. I have seen 
dry walls in England, through which, as the work ad* 
vanced, mould and mat-rooted grass-seeds were 
scattered, and creeping plants sowed with them, 
which had soon taken root, and held the wall as 
strongly together as any cement, besides having a 
very pleasing effect. 

Sect. 

* For a ?ery minute account of dyking, see Doctor An- 
derson's Essays on Agriculture. 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 157 



Sect. 4. Water Fences. 

No species of fencing is more useful, or necessary 
to be properly understood than this mode ; rivers 
are generally excellent boundaries, and it is a mat- 
ter of much moment to secure their banks from the 
violence of their streams in times of flooding. To 
prevent accidents of this kind, the surest way is to 
cut down the bank like a glacis, sloping towards the 
bottom, and to plant mat-rooted grasses thereon. 
An inclined paling at the top of the bank would 
effectually bar intruders of every description, and 
the earth gained in the paring would be worth the 
expence, as the banks of rivers are generally of a 
very rich loam, or vegetable mould ; this is the 
properest kind of manure for young quicks set in 
the breast of ditches. 

Perpendicular banks will be gradually undermined, 
as they resist the violence of floods ; earth softened 
with water will naturally crumble, and be washed 
away, nor does it require the force of floods to sap 
it ; its own weight brings it down. Breast-works 
of stone are often used in rapid streams, but these 
are expensive, and by no means equal to resist floods; 
whereas, if the fiaggers, rushes, and aquatic grasses 

once 



i 5 3 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

once strike root, they form a firm and everlasting 
barrier to floods, which can by no means injure 
them. 



Sect. 5. Ditches. 

Ditches, wet or dry, are seldom judiciously 
made ; for security and cheapness, these fences are 
very proper ; the great mistake is in forming the 
banks perpendicular ; where water is stagnant, or 
of very slow course, that bank may be perpen- 
dicular, which is no higher than the surface of the 
field, though it would be better to have a small 
inclination to widen towards the top ; but it is very 
necessary, that the other bank should be much in- 
clined, on account of the materials of which it is 
composed ; these are the scourings of the drain, 
which of course are very moist, when thrown up, 
but, when baked in the sun, have great durability ; 
for this reason the bank should be raised very gra- 
dually, and left to harden, before too much of this 
wet stuff is heaped together, which otherwise will 
burst or fall down with every rain, and require con- 
tinual repairs ; this fence answers a two-fold pur- 
pose, being also an excellent drain for wet land, 
and should be kept scoured and dragged oc- 
casionally 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 159 
casionally of aqueous plants and grasses, which in- 
terrupt the drains, and in still water will soon 
appear. 

These fences may be made very ornamental by 
quicking the breast of the ditch, but a good vege- 
table mould should be the bed for the quicks ; they 
will not thrive in the hard baked clay, of which the 
bottom of these diches is composed. 



Sect. 6. Gates. 

In this fine country, 'tis a pity that so few of these 
ornamental and useful improvements are seen ; the 
expence is complained of as the cause of this neglect, 

Gates made of the heaviest and most valuable 
timber are generally the soonest destroyed ; their 
own weight pulls them down, and the weather has 
great influence in swagging, splitting, and warp- 
ing such timber. 

The lighter the gate the better, if well put to- 
gether so as to preclude the rain from the mortices 
and joinings; I never saw better gates than some, 
which had been made of lime-tree, and were full 
twenty years in use 5 light gates, of good workman- 

ship 



160 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

ship and well painted, will stand double the time 
of those made of more expensive and weighty ma- 
terials. 

If the farmer cannot procure other timber than 
oak or ash, he should make his gates in pairs, and 
never use such timber in long swinging gates ; the 
clapping of these weighty bodies tears open the 
mortices, and quickly destroys the work. 

I have seen gates of oak and ash, which were 
very well put together, with diagonals dove-tailed 
through every bar ; but they did not stand one 
year, fromjthe causes already assigned. 

Taking a general review of the fences and modes 
of inclosing throughout Armagh, they are found 
little inferior to those in any other count)'-, and su- 
perior to a great many. The well cultivated and 
populous districts, which occupy much the greater 
part of the county, are rendered extremely com- 
fortable and secure in this respect, j 

Sunk fences are only to be met in demesne 
grounds, and are well adapted for such places, and 
very profitable, as the ground is in use to the 
brink ; they are peculiarly estimable, as forming the 
necessary bounds without obstructing prospect, in- 
terrupting the natural inclination of the surface, or 
interfering with its beauties. 

PART 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 161 



PART IT. 



CHAP. VII. 



AGRICULTURE. 



Sola res rustica, quse sine dubitatione proxima et quasi 
eonsanguinea sapientias est, tarn discentibus eget quam ma- 
gistris. 

Columella de re rustica. 



PRELIMINARY REMARKS. 

THE subject of this chapter being a direct reply 
to the Suggestions of Enquiry, stated immediately 
preceding the first chapter of the work, I shall, for 
the satisfaction of the Dublin Society, recite the 
Parochial Queries, as given in the second priiited 
detail of enquiry. By the numerals, which are sub- 
joined to each query, is meant the reference to that 
section in the. following or the preceding chapters, 

wh- 



i6* STATISTICAL SURVEY 

where such query is considered and replied to. I 
have adopted this mode for conciseness, as the pa- 
rochial enquiry in so many instances agrees with 
the original general printed detail ; in most parts 
of the county the same answer will hold good 
throughout, and where there is any material altera- 
tion it will be remarked ; it would be a tircso7?ie tau- 
tology to reply to each query, in both details generally 
and parochially also, and would swell this book to a 
useless size. 

I need not obserce that the following sections of 
this chapter are those which are set clown in the. 
Suggestions of Enquhy, commencing at the head 
of agriculture, immediately preceding the first 
chapter of the WM 

This mode will also have the good effect of pointing 
out to those gentlemen or farmers, who are well ac- 
quainted with the local state of the county, whether 
there are errors and omissions in reply to such que- 
ries, and will of course afford them but little trouble 
in correcting for a future and perfect edition, which, 
in such a work, can only be accomplished by joint 
endeavours, and never by the labours of an individual, 
who can do little more than point out a system for 
its more easy adoption, and compile and select from 
the many opinions necessary for its completion. 

Parochial 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 163 



Parochial Queries suggested by the Dublin 
Society, 

1. ' WHAT is the nature of the soil, whether flat or hilly, 
and how supplied with water ?— See Chap. 1. Sect. 6. 

2. Are the estates large or small, and are the proprietors 
resident or absentees? — See Chap. 2. Sect. 1. and 4. Chap. 10. 
Sect. 11. 

3. Are there any held by perpetual leases ?— See Chap. 9. 
Sect. 5. 

4. Who are the proprietors of the estates ? — See Chap. 2, 
Sect. 4. Chap. 10. Sect. 11. 

5. What is the most common size and rent of farms ?— . 
See Chap. 2. Sect. 3. Chap. 4. Sect. I. and 3. Chap. 9. Sect. I, 1 

6. For what term are farms usually let, or what peculiar 
clauses or covenants are there in their leases ? — See Chap. 2: 
Sect. 2. Chap. 4. Sect. 6. Chap. 9. Sect. 4. and 6. 

7. What may be the general size of fields, and how are 
they inclosed ? — See Chap. 9. Sect. 9. 

8. What is the common course of crops and the mode of 
preparation for them : and whether there are any of such 
crops as are not commonly cultivated in this country ? — See 
Chap. 7. Sect. 1. and l. 

9. What is the usual process in breaking up grass land 

to tillage, and in laying down to grass ? — See Chap. 8* 

Sect. 7. 

M 2 tq. 



1 64 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

10. What is the usual proportion of each kind of grain 
and fallow on a farm ? — See Chap. 7. Sect. 3. 

11. How much land is usually allotted to potatoes, by 
each farmer ? — See Chap. 7. Sect. 3. 

12. What is the average produce of each kind of grain and 
of potatoes ? — See Chap. 7. Sect. 2. 

1 3. What manures are made use of, to what crops chiefly 
applied, and in what quantities? — See Chap. 1. Sect. 6. 
Bog and Moor, and Chap. 9. Sect. 13. 

14. Is draining practised, and how is it performed ? See 
Chap. 9. Sect. 12. 

15. What sort of implements are in general use, and whe- 
ther threshing-mills have been erected, or any improved im- 
plements adopted ? See Chap. 5. and Chap. 7. Sect. 5. 

1 6. Are there any oxen employed in draught, and do they 
work in collars or yokes ? See Chap. 7. Sect. 4. 

1 7. What may be the number of working cattle in propor- 
tion to the size of the farm ? See Chap. 9. Sect. 8. 

18. What number of milch cows ? See Chap. 8. Sect. 10. 

19. Is there any artificial green food raised either for the 
summer or winter use of cattle, and are they housed in win- 
ter ? See Chap. 7. Sect. 7. 

20. Is red clover generally sown, and how is it applied ? 
See Chap. 7. Sect. 7. 

2 1 . What proportion does the grass land bear to that un- 
der tillage, and how is it chiefly applied ; whether to rear- 
ing, or feeding, or to meadow ? See Chap. 8. Sect. I. 

22. Is any attention paid to improving the breed of black 
cattle, sheep, or swine, and by whom ? See Chap. 8. Sect. 2. 

23- 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 165 

23. If there be any dairy farms, of what extent are they, 
and what is their average produce per cow ? — How is the 
butter disposed of? See Chap. 8, Sect. io. 

24. What is the mode of hay-making, and are the mea- 
dows cut early or late ? See Chap. 8. Sect. 9. 

25. Have the farmers comfortable houses, convenient 
offices, and stands for their corn stacks ? — and have they any 
orchards? See Chap. 3. Sect. 3. and Chap. 9. Sect. 2. 

26. What sort of cottages do the poor inhabit, and how 
much land is there commonly allotted to each ? See Chap. J. 
Sect. 4. and Chap. 10. Sect. 3. 

27. What are the wages of labourers, and what rents do 
they pay for house, garden, potatoe land, and the grass of 
cows ? See Chap. 10. Sect. 4. 

28. What is the common fuel, and the expence of it ? 
See Chap. 10. Sect. 4. 

29. Are habits of industry, and the English language, well 
established or increasing among the lower classes ? See Chap, 
10. Sect. 25. 26. 

30* How are tythes paid, in kind, or by composition ? — 
and what are the usual rates of each species ? See Chap. 4. 
Sect. 4. and Chap. 10. Sect. 5. 

31. W T hat manufactures are there, and to what extent 
are they carried on ? See Chap. 10. Sect. 14. 

32. What number of looms in the parish ? See Chap. 10. 
Sea. 4. 

33. Do they increase or diminish ? See Chap. io. Sect. 14. 

34. 



1 66 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

34. Are there any woods or extensive plantations or 
hedgerows, of what kind of trees do they chiefly consist, 
and what is the price of timber ? See Chap. 1 . Sect. 6. Woods, 
and Chap. 10. Sect. 17. 

35. How many acres under timber? See Chap. I. Sect. 2. 

36. Is there any nursery, and where? See Chap. 10. 
Sect. 20. 

37. Are there mines of any kind near you, and are they 
worked to any effect ? See Chap. 10. Sect. 32. and Chap. 12. 
Sect. i. 

38. Are there quarries of limestone or of freestone? See 
Chap. I. Sect. 7. Minerals. 

39. Are there any bogs or tracts of waste land which are 
capable of improvement ? See Chap. I. Sect. 6. Bog and Moor, 
and Chap. 10. Sect. 22. 

40. What is the population and number of inhabitants in 
your parish ? See Chap. 1 o. Sect. 1 . 

41. What number of houses? See Chap. 10. Sect. 1. 

42 . Have they increased or diminished of late ? See Chap. 
10. Sect. 1. 

43. If there be any ruined towers, castles, monasteries, 
or other ancient buildings or remarkable places near you, 
what historical or traditional account is there of them ? See 
Chap. 10. Sect. 27- 

44. Are there any mills, and of what kind ? See Chap. 
10. Sect. 16. 

45. What quantity of corn may each manufacture yearly 
upon an average? See Chap. 10. Sect. 16. 

46. Are the roads in good repair ? See Chap. 10. Sect. 7. 

47- 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 167 

47. Is there a church— or glebe — , and where does the 
clergyman reside? See Chap. 1. Sect. 4. and Chap. 10. 
Sect. 28. 

48. Are there any schools, and how endowed ? See Chap. 
10. Sect. 10. 

49. Are they well attended ? See Chap. 10, Sect. 10. 

50. Is there any thing particular in the parish ; or any 
remarks or improvements you would suggest ? See Chap, ia.' 



Sect. 1. Mode of Culture. 

The mode of culture in this county is either 
with the plough and harrow, or with the spade ; 
much land is tilled with this latter implement, as 
the farms are so very small, and of these little por- 
tions a sufficient spot must be assigned for the 
cows maintainance. This tillage is of course well 
performed, as ploughs, and all the improvements 
made thereon, tend to the important purpose of 
reducing the soil to a proper tilth, which no other 
implement but the spade has yet effectually an- 
swered. To adopt this mode of culture, in larrre 
farms, would be too tedious and expensive, but it 
should be considered that, where the soil is well 
dug, and the particles of earth properly separated, 
so as to afford new focd for plants, the less manure 

will be required. 

Vegetable 



16$ STATISTICAL SURVEY 

Vegetable or green crops impart to the soil a rich- 
ness, which, with a due proportion) of tilth and ma- 
nual labour, will yield more abundantly than rich 
manures or a slovenly and ill ploughed field. 

But tillage' must be assisted by manures in some 
cases. In strong heavy land, judicious manuring 
will more easily render it friable, and divide and 
separate the clods, than any course of tillage ; with- 
out this crumbling of such a soil, the roots of plants 
will not be able to penetrate it, and must perish : on 
the contrary, in light land, from its being so ex- 
tremely porous, we find the same defect : manures 
of a binding quality must here be applied, which 
will have the same effect as pressure, closing the 
pores ; hence we often find, that virtues imparted 
to the soil from manures are from mechanical prin- 
ciples rather than from any other causes; substances, 
whrch have no putrescence, will, by opening the 
soil, answer purposes on stiff clay, which the rich- 
est stable manure will not in the least benefit. 

The mode of culture therefore in this county 
is judicious, as the spade, the plough, and har- 
row, are certainly capable of receiving great im- 
provement. 

Defects in the Plough, and remedies proposed. 

The sole is not straight, and the projection has a 
very mischievous tendency. 

The 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 169 

The sole of the plough should be perfectly level, 
and not at all raised behind, or else a ridge of 
earth must remain undisturbed. 

The breadth of the sole is also too much, as it re- 
quires a greater force of cattle to draw it ; this she aid 
not exceed the track sufficient for a man or horse 
to walk, for which nine inches will be fully ade- 
quate, and the work will go on much brisker and 
with greater ease. 

The Scotch ploughs are shorter in the beam, but 
length of beam gives steadiness, though doubtless 
it encreases the draught. Expert ploughmen will 
work a Scotch plough so as to remedy its unsteadi- 
ness in our hands. 

Defects in the Harrow, and remedies proposed. 

It is ridiculous to suppose, that any one imple- 
ment, of this description, can answer all the various 
purposes, for which it is required, though how sel- 
dom do we find the farmer who has an idea, that one 
of a second form is requisite. It will engage but 
little reflection to determine, that no one instrument 
can be adapted to the various sorts of soil, or to 
so many purposes as this is found necessary for. 

Preparing the ground for seed and tearing the 
surface will require a more severe instrument, than 
in seed sowing, when it is to be presumed the 

ground 



i 7 o STATISTICAL SURVEY 

ground is reduced to a proper tilth. For the first 
of these purposes, the harrow used here is too light, 
the teeth are too close together, by far too short, and 
only skim the surface ; for the latter purpose, it is 
too heavy, and the teeth are too short, not laying 
the seed so deep as to preserve moisture, but ex- 
posing it to the sun which parches the surface. 

Double harrows are the best calculated to obviate 
these defects ; thin long teeth penetrate the soil, 
and lay the seed deeper ; when yoked evenly toge- 
ther, they work as one harrow of twice the weight, 
and are very steady. 

Harrows should be so constructed that no pin 
should follow the track of another, but each have 
a course of its own, and all work together. 

Treble harrows are well calculated for broad-cast 
husbandry, and have also the superior effect of 
intermixing top-dressings on ploughed ground, and 
reader the tilth finer than single or double harrows 
possibly can ; but the instrument termed the sciiffler 
answers the purpose still better than any other ma- 
chine I have seen ; it is now too well known and in 
too general use to require particular description. 



Sect, 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 171 



Sect. 2. Extent of culture, and of each species 
of grain sozved. 

This can only be conjectured, and not minuter- 
ascertained. The population we know to be great 
in an unprecedented degree, and we also are cer- 
tain that, although much corn is exported from this 
county, particularly wheat, yet scarcely any is 
imported, the soil yielding abundance for its nu- 
merous inhabitants. 

Wheat is a very general crop in the barony of 
Armagh, and also in O'Neiland, when the farms 
are larger than is necessary for the family's supply ; 
but the great crops throughout the county are of 
oats. Taking the average of the county, twelve 
barrels of oats, of fourteen stones to the barrel, 
are yielded from the statute acre ; eight of wheat, 
of twenty stones ; fourteen of barley, of sixteen 
stones 5 and 100 of potatoes, of twenty stones; flax 
will produce ninety stones clean scutched from 
the acre. To produce these crops, of wheat are 
sown about fourteen stones, oats] twenty-four, bar- 
ley sixteen, flax four bushels, and potatoes, from 
the various modes of seed and propagation, of no 
determinate quantity. 

Sect. 



1 7 2 STATISTICAL SURVEY 



Sect. 3. Course of Crops. 

No system in husbandry is of so important a con- 
crm as that we are now to consider, nor is any so 
little understood or so grossly neglected. If the 
farmer reaps a crop not inferior to the usual return, 
he is contented, and supposes the soil has produced 
to the best of its ability ; he only sees his mistake 
when a neighbour of superior judgment or manage- 
ment surprises him with more abundant produce, 
from a proper mode of cropping. 

This error, which has so effectually retarded the 
science of agriculture, is pretty fully known and of 
course exploded in England, and in many parts of 
Ireland the change has been rapid and successful ; 
it is to be lamented, that a county, possessing so 
generous a soil, should not also have fair play and 
indulgence ; but as yet this new system is scarcely 
heard of here, and except by a very experimental 
gentry, has not been attempted. Happily the 
most certain conviction follows the trial, and en- 
sures a steady adherence to a system of such supe- 
rior excellence. The great principles, on which it 
depends, are a judicious mode of manuring, and 
a particular attention to removing weeds, which by 
the application of the hoe is accomplished, bringing 

new 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 173 

new earth or food to the roots of those plants we mean 
to cultivate. Thus advantages are gained not only 
in the yielding of more luxuriant crops, but in the 
perpetual produce of these crops, and the system 
of fallowing is of course entirely exploded. . The 
introduction of a vegetable or green crop, between 
two corn crops, w T ill never reduce the soil, and, by 
exploding fallow, a dead year's rent is saved. We 
very well know, that some land has produced 
wheat two years successively of abundant crops, 
and perhaps the last superior to the first ; but this 
does not prove but that the land is the worse for 
such a course, and must be reduced in its strength. 
I, myself, have seen seven successive good corn 
crops taken from fresh ground, which had been high- 
ly manured with lime-stone gravel, but surely no 
one will say, but that land was unfairly dealt with, 
and might have had better management : the issue 
has proved it, for that farm, though laid down 
in apparent condition, and in the first season, was 
spread with white clover, and nice herbage, yet 
the following year, being dry, the grass wither- 
ed, nor ever after recovered, though profusely 
top-dressed ; when broken up again it would pro- 
duce no more corn, and it is now under a nursing 
with the culture of green crops, which is gradually 
restoring it to good condition. 

One 



174 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

One certain objection to the new system, in Ire- 
land, is the general poverty of the farmer; his 
stock should be proportioned to his number of acres, 
to ensure a sufficiency of manure ; this in most case* 
is out of the question, through a deficiency of ca- 
pital. In this county this objection does not hold, 
the farms are so small ; in the stock of cows and 
calves, there is a sufficiency of manure to be ac- 
quired with proper management ; but a greater at- 
tention being paid to the loom, and the farm be- 
ing but a secondary consideration, makes as much 
against it as the other is in its favour. It must be 
by slow degrees, and by experience from the prac- 
tice of the gentry, and ocular demonstration of 
its superior excellence, that any new system will 
be introduced in a pursuit, which is not the main 
dependence. 

I am now to expose the erroneous course of crops 
practised in this county ; first, potatoes on a lea 
stubble ploughed, and manured with dung; second, 
flax, with spade culture; third, oats ; fourth, oats ; 
fifth, oats ; all prepared by two ploughings and two 
harrowings ; stubble left for cow pasture : another 
course, first, potatoes ; second, wheat, sowed im- 
mediately in the potatoe fallow, and alwa}'s trenched 
in ; third, oats ; fourth, oats, as before. Wheat, one 
ploughing only ; if the ground is very fine, after 
flax they sow a crop of barley with two ploughings 

and 



of the county of armagh. i* 

and barrowings, or oftener trench it ii. 
wards take two crops of oats. Clover is sown in 
small patches for summer soil, and this cannot be 
too strongly recommended ; the practice is gaining 
ground, and the country shopkeepers, who sell this 
article, acknowledge an encreasing demand for 
it. Oats are frequently trenched in. Xo other 
crops are sown here. In the vegetable garden much 
beans are sown for food, which is very salir 
after the long use of oatmeal, the during spring 
season ; this refreshing vegetable powerfully corrects 
effects of their late heating diet. 

The farmer will find his account in having cul- 
tivated a sufHciency of green food, such as turnips, 
tares, cabbages, ice. for the subsistence of his 
stock in the winter and spring, and their manure 
will be a constant source of treasure ; thus, the 
grand principle of improved husbandry, in restoring 
to the soil as much as possible that which it has 
yielded, is fulfilled. 

In the culture of these vegetable and revigoratinij 
crops, drilling in the seed is of course to be re- 
commended, as well as in corn sowing ; then hand 
or horse hoeing can follow with success, and the 
weeds be easily destroyed ; little more than half the 
quantitv of seed will be used to produce a superior 
crop on the same'quantity of ground, much less la- 
bour will be required, and another material ad- 
vantage 



176 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

vantage which is annexed to this system is, that 
the most luxuriant corn crop cannot be laid down 
in bad weather. 

In this county, fallowing is scarcely known, the 
farms being too small, and ground too precious, 
to be ever unoccupied. 

The usual proportion of each kind of crops is 
as follows, supposing a farm of five acres, which 
is above the average of the tillage of the county. 

Acres. Acres. 



Potatoes 


l 




Potatoes 


1 


Flax 


i 

4- 




Flax 


r 

4 


Wheat 


3 


or 


Oats 


- 1J 


Oats - 


2 




Grass 


2 


Grass 


1 









Acres 5 Acres 5 

Thus, a portion of the potatoe ground of the pre- 
ceding season is always occupied with flax ; and 
sometimes wheat, or barley, is sown in the remain- 
ing plot. The oat stubble affords a good quantity 
of grass in the winter, as it is seldom ploughed 
till spring. In a farm of five acres, one is usually 
allotted to potatoes ; in eight acres, one and a half; 
and in ten acres, from two to three ; their policy 
being to give up as much ground as possible to this 
crop, that they may prepare so much for wheat, 

which 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 177 

which almost always succeeds the potatoes, except 
that small portion of the potatoe fallow, which is 
reserved for flax. 



Sect. 4. Use of Oxen, how harnessed. 

These animals are scarcely at all used here ; 
farms are so small they would not answer, and a 
plough of cattle is easily made up by neighbour- 
ing farmers lending, or hiring their horses, for 
which they have constant employment, when not 
engaged in the field, as carrying their webs, yarn, 
&c. to market. 

When any of the gentry plough with oxen, which 
they rarely do, the draft is from the shoulder, and 
they are yoked with collars. 

A description of the draft from the forehead 
may be seen in my Statistical Survey of the county 
of Cavan, page 74. 



Sect. 5. Nature and use of implements of 
husbandry. 

The common ill-constructed Irish plough and 
harrow, as I have already shewn, are in general 
r use ; much work is done with the spade, and the 

n shovel, 



i 7 8 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

shovel, as they trench in most of their crops fof 
this use ; the shovel is square, and well adapted to 
the purpose. There is not one threshing machine 
in the county, and very rarely a hand winnowing 
machine is seen. These small farms cannot afford 
expensive implements, nor, where so little labour 
is necessary, are they requisite. 

The Argyleshire plough would answer well here, 
and is easily worked by two horses, it being equally 
adapted for deep and stony soils, with a small 
change of apparatus, which renders it a most useful 
implement. 




The roller is never used, except in demesne 
grounds, for laying down land ornamentally. 

The car is very badly constructed, and so evi- 
dently so, that a bar of iron is always secured 
under the body to keep the sides in their places. 
The slats arc very heavy, and morticed through 
the shafts, which reduce the strength of the shafts 

very 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 179 

very much, and in this place they frequently give 
way ; if only the first and last slats were morticed 
through, and the others halved into the shafts, the 
car would be much stronger : on the whole, it is 
a clumsy, though cheap implement, not having 
more than about three and a half stone of iron 
work ; the cost of the wood work, wheels included, 
about twenty-eight shillings ; the whole cost about 
three pounds. 

I must observe two great defects in the plough : 
first, the want of a plate to the side ; from this 
defect the plough is alwa\ T s obstructed in the 
draft by the mould, which clogs this aperture, 
and passing through it frequently falls back : and, 
secondly, the mould board not being curved, the 
sod cannot be regularly laid down, and is fre- 
quently left so perpendicular as to fall back again; 
it is impossible to make a clear open furrow with 
this implement ; indeed, excepting where the 
ploughman guides the horses and holds the reins, 
a straight furrow will never be made ; a driver 
walking beside the cattle, his attention being 
taken up in setting each beast to his draft, 
cannot surely keep in a straight line. In irregu- 
lar furrows, the crop will lose the advantage of 
ventilation, which is secured to it by straight gjid 
even ploughing, 

n 2 The 



i So 



STATISTICAL SURVEY 



The Chain, or Small's plough, represented in the 
annexed cut, is the most easily worked of any, in 
soils free of stones. 




The slide car is used in some parts in the moun- 
tainous district. It is of the usual make, and shaped 
a common car without wheels, sliding on the 
s of its shafts, which are fashioned for that 
purpose, and shod with iron ; this car is used where 
the country is moist, and has not been drained : 
in such places, wheels would sink : it is used for 
carrying home potatoes, and taking out dung, which 
is loaded in a basket, or creel, fastened across the slats. 

The annexed plan of a harrow is well calculated 
fur gathering weeds, and cleaning land. 




yr7 " ^ 



In 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. iti 

In demesnes, where improved instruments are 
used, they will be noticed, when we speak of im- 
provements in the Baronial Survey, 13th chapter. 

Sect. 0. Markets for grain. 

There is not one extensive market for grain in 
the count}*, indeed little is reared for sale. His 
Grace, the present Primate, intends rebuilding the 
market-house of Armagh, and encouraging a wheat 
market ; and since I have been in the county, I 
understand that at Lurgan Mr. Brownlow's spirited 
exertions for the same purpose have had great success. 

Hitherto, merchants in the vicinity of the navi- 
gation, as at Newry and Portadown, have pur- 
chased all the extra corn of the county, except 
what was sold to the Armagh buyers, who had also 
a considerable share of the trade. The greatest 
clog on establishing markets for grain, is the high 
toll generally imposed ; it would be much better 
policy to abolish this custom, altogether ; when it 
is taken in kind, it becomes actual robbery, as a 
measure of corn, when the toll was first laid on, 
was not of the value of one penny, and the en- 
creased value of the same quantity may from many 
circumstances, at times, be worth several shillings. 
I have known this practice to ruin a market, which 
had been well established. 

Sect. 



i8s STATISTICAL SURVEY 



Sect. 7. Use of green food in winter* 

Green food is no where cultivated for cattle 
by the peasantry, except small patches of clover, 
which come In early, and last a good while. The 
gentry are slowly engaging in these crops. In 
the description of the management of their demesnes, 
their attention to this subject will be noticed. 



Sect. 8. General observations on the modes of 
Agriculture, as practised in the county y with 
remarks on drill husbandry. 

A proper and judicious rotation of crops, which 
would ever keep the ground in good heart and 
vigour, is not at all considered or understood. 
The soil is very grateful, and yields much more 
abundantly than in the neighbouring counties, 
which perhaps is sufficient to keep the farmer in 
ignorance of the errors of his practice. A due or 
regular preparation for culture is not attended to 5 
the following is the general routine; 

Wheat 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 183 



Wheat culture. 

1st. Preparation. — Levelling the potatoe furrows, 
which sometimes get one harrowing, and on© 
ploughing, if the seed is sown broadcast } if two 
crops of potatoes have preceded this crop, a trifling 
application of ashes is scattered on the surface. 

2d. Quality. — Principally red lammas wheat, and, 
as this seed is always produced from potatoe ground, 
it degenerates in quality, such land greatly injur-? 
ing the grain. In corn countries, wheat raised iu 
a potatoe fallow is depressed two shillings per 
barrel in value, and a judge of this grain will 
easily distinguish it. 

3d. Steeping. — This is only used here to separate 
the good and bad grain ; the latter will always 
float on the surface, which is often done by win- 
nowing ; however, steeping is of more consequence, 
as it prepares the seed for vegetation very quickly, 
and is really necessary to nourish it in a dry season j 
but here it is not left sufficiently long in steep 
for this purpose. 

4th. Liming. — -The seed is always well mixed 
with lime previous to its being sowed, but is seldom 
pickled with salt, which would more effectually 
prevent smut or the worm. 

5 th. Seed. 



1 84 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

5th. Seed. Quantity sown. — The acre is statute, 
generally through the county, and to this por- 
tion of ground two and a half or three bushels 
are sown. I have heard skilful agriculturists argue 
for a greater quantity of seed, and that, the heavier 
the grain is sowed, the less room there is for weeds 
to spring up. If the principal desideratum is to 
raise the largest crop from a given quantity of ground, 
there must be some attention likewise had to the 
quantity of seed also, and if twenty shillings worth 
of seed can be saved on an acre of ground, surely 
it is of the first consequence. Drill husbandry will 
ensure this saving, rating wheat at forty shillings 
the barrel of 20 stones, ten stones of seed will be 
sufficient : by this mode, the weeds are more easily 
destroyed, and the produce of wheat threshed has 
been considerably greater. I remember having seen 
a field of wheat thickly sown on the principle of 
keeping down weeds, and which looked very pro- 
mising, but the crop was only productive in straw, 
and much under the average return of a middling 
crop in weight of grain. 

6th. Time of sowing— Commences on the digging 
out of the potatoes, and is generally finished before 
Christmas ; few instances of a spring crop of wheat, 
but even in those few there have been ample 
yieldings. ] have seen wheat sown in the county of 
Kildare in August, and in the same field again in 

March, 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 185 

March, for experiment sake, and the latter sown 
crop was the best of the two, but near a month later 
in harvesting. 

1th. Weeding and tramping. — When the crop is 
too rampant, they scratch it with a harrow, which 
they run over it a second time reversed, with a 
weight of stones on the top ; this process would be 
more effectually answered by the roller, but of this 
implement they make no use. I have seen sheep 
turned in on a rank crop of wheat in spring, which 
had been sowed in autumn, nor were they drove 
off, until the field seemed as bare and brown as a 
fallow, and the crop was of extraordinary yielding ; 
the soil was a very loose tilth and loam, and had 
been washed away from the roots of the plants by 
heavy rain ; the tramping of the sheep caused it 
again to plant, to which I attribute the good effects 
which followed, for the crop was afterwards full as 
rank when it arrived to the same height ; it was how- 
ever later than usual by a fortnight, which is a good 
argument in favour of late sowing on light loamy 
soils. 
Weeding is performed with a reaping hook, but 
this only cuts the weed, which is again in vigour 
by the reaping season ; the root in the mean time 
imbibes as much vigour and food as the corn ; such 
a crop cannot be said to be effectually weeded, 
but only clean to the eye. It is surprising that 

farmers 



1 86 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

farmers will deceive themselves in this respect ; a 
wooden tongs, which has great power, would after 
rain effectually and very quickly pull up the weeds 
by the root ; by cutting with the hook, the seeds are 
shed after a second growth, before the corn is cut. 

8t/i. Harvest. — Early sowings will be reaped 
against the beginning of September, and spring 
sowings seldom before October. The corn is 
generally left in the field in small stooks, until 
thoroughly seasoned, and seldom stacked but in 
the haggard. Much more depends on the situation 
or rather elevation of the ground, than on the 
climate in difference of harvesting. Corn crops on 
cold elevated exposed grounds will be always from 
ten to fourteen days later than those, which have 
the advantage of shelter. 

9th. Threshing. — There are two modes practised ; 
one of them is termed slashing ; this is done without 
opening the sheaf; the slasher holds the butt of the 
sheaf in both hands, and strikes the head of it 
against a bar, placed horizontally for that purpose. 
This is a very good method, as a sufficiency of grain 
is procured for any purpose very quickly, without 
damaging the straw, which may be again stacked 
in sheafs as before, and kept fresh for winter fod- 
der, and then what grain remains is to be finally 
threshed out with the flail. 

10th. Produce — 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 187 

I0tb. Produce*— Must depend on the nature of 
the soil, and the mode of culture ; there are few 
wheat soils in the county but, with proper ma- 
nagement, would average ten or twelve barrels of 
twenty stones per acre : the present average scarce- 
ly exceeds eight, which, at fortv shillings per bar- 
rel, will leave its value at sixteen pounds sterling. 

BARLEY CULTURE. 

1st. Preparation. — When the ground has lain a 
year idle, it is ploughed three times, and, if not 
in heart, is manured with dung, lime, or ashes ; 
the grain is sometimes sowed on a potatoe fallow, 
and trenched in with the shovel. 

2d. Sort.— There is little choice as to the sort, 
the two or the four rowed barley being impar* 
tially or accidentally used ; from their ignorance 
in dressing the latter kind, the malster makes a 
heavy deduction from the gross weight, which is 
an imposition. 

3d. Seed. — The quantity of seed is about two 
hundred weight per acre, and in some places even 
three hundred weight, which is an enormous waste, 
and always succeeded by bad management, lodging 
of the crop, &c. 

4th. Time of sowing. — This must vary according 
to the state of the ground ; but, as the soil is sound, 

and 



i83 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

nnd rain makes no great impression on it, the seed 
is got in generally about the beginning of April ; the 
genial showers in this month afford a due degree of 
moisture for vegetation, which now is necessary. 
This grain is usually, and very properly, trenched in. 

5th. Weeding. — This operation is performed, as 
on the wheat crop, by nipping the weed with the 
hook, which will soon sprout again. 

6th. Harvest. — -The general reaping of barley is 
in the month of September. It remains stooked in 
the field until dry, when it is brought home, and 
stacked in the haggard. 

7th. Tkres/wig— Is all performed with the flail, 
in the common way, and paid for by day's work. 

8th. Produce. — New well-tilled land will yield 
from sixteen to twenty barrels, of sixteen stones to 
the barrel. They seldom sow barley in this county, 
but in nice, well-prepared land. The average re- 
turn may be fourteen barrels to the acre, in the ba- 
ronies of Armagh, O'Neiland, and Lower Orior, 
but much less in the other districts. The average 
value of an acre of barley, in this county, will be 
about 15/. sterling, at one shilling per stone. 



OAT 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. i*o 

OATS CULTURE. 

1st. Preparation. — For this hardy grain there is 
no regular preparation, and seldom more than one 
ploughing; nor is this thought of, until just befor« 
seed sowing, so that the stubbles may yield pas- 
turage as long as possible, which they are but badly 
supplied with in spring. Oats sown from the lea are 
seldom attempted here. Potatoes mostly engross 
the lea crop ; and the sod is better prepared by rot- 
ting for a corn crop. 

They seldom have occasion to manure for this 
crop, the ground being in good heart after potatoes, 
except two or three crops have previously been 
taken ; in this case, they manure the surface with 
a compost of lime, dung, clay, or ashes. In moist 
light ground it is trenched in ; in sound warm land, 
sowed broadcast. 

2d. Sort. — In their best land they sow white Poland 
oats, and white Holland; in the mountainous dis- 
trict, black oats, and sometimes white oats on limed 
ground. When white oats are sown on the moun- 
tainous parts, which have not been previously ma- 
nured and drained, they will degenerate into a black 
grain in two or three seasons. This grain will not 
make so bright meal, and has a much greater hull, 
and quantity of offal. The white oats are the ear- 
liest 



ts>o STATISTICAL SURVEY* 

liest ripe; the white Holland come in sooner than 
the Polish ; the black oats have the advantage over 
the other two kinds, in not easily shedding, if cut 
before they are fully ripe, and left to ripen in the 
stook. 

3d. Seed. — About twenty-two stone to the English, 
or twenty-eight to the plantation acre. 

4th. Tiyne of sowing — Is generally a month or 
five weeks before barley, or as early in the spring as 
they can be got in. 

5th. Weeding — In every respect the same as 
mentioned in the wheat and barley culture. 

6th. Harvest. — This seldom begins before the 
second or third week in September; it is earliest in 
places where there is a limestone soil. A statute 
acre of oats may be cut by five men, and bound by 
as many women. This grain also remains in stooks 
in the field ; and what quantity the farmer may 
judge is over his probable demand, is frequently 
sold in the stook, and rates from is. to Is. 4d. per 
stook. This grain is kept longer on the ledge than 
any other; and it is said that it improves in quality 
by this mode, after it is perfectly dry. 

7th. Threshing. — All done by the flail, and fre- 
quently paid for by task- work. A good thresher 
will earn sixteen-pence per day. 

8th. Produce. — Frequently, on well-tilled good 
land, the produce will exceed twenty barrels of four- 
teen 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 191 

teen stones. The average of the count}- is considered 
about fourteen barrels to the acre ; but I suppose 
this calculation to be short of the actual return. 
The average value of an acre of oats may be about 
$/. per acre, at ten-pence per stone. 

9th. Manufacture. — The grain, being ground into 
meal by water or wind-mills, is divided into two 
kinds, the coarse, and fine; the former for boiling 
with water into that strengthening dish called stir- 
about, which is commonly used at breakfast. This 
dish is, however, declining, as manufactures are en- 
creasing, and the people more wealth}- ; they are, of 
course, more inclined to indulge in tea breakfast, 
as is usual with all tradesfolk. In this case the fine 
meal is kneaded with water into thin cakes of bread, 
baked on the griddle, and eaten with butter. 

Oatmeal is also used at the dinner meal, and is 
often boiled with meat, or stewed with vegetables, 
which correct the humours stimulated by this strong 
and heating diet. This the people are sensible of, 
and their little gardens are well stocked with vege- 
tables, particularly beans, cabbage, and sallad. 

POTATOE CULTURE. 

1st. Preparation. — The old lazy-bed way is the 
usual mode of planting ; the dung being spread on 
the surface, the breadth of the intended ridge,- the 

seed 



192 STATISTICAL SURVEV 

seed is laid thereon, and a trench dug at either 
side, the clay from which is thrown upon the seed ; 
the culture is just the same, whether on grass ground 
or stubble, or in high or low land, but that grass 
land is rich .enough to require no manure. Judi- 
cious farmers will plough up their stubble fields for 
potatoe culture before seed time, which will well 
repay the expence. 

It has been observed that, however expensive the 
laz}*-bed mode is, yet, in no instance, are crops 
produced of better quality, though they may be ex- 
ceeded in quantit}-. 

Several farmers now begin to drill in their pota- 
toes, which they acknowledge to be a less expensive 
and more abundant mode. 

The various methods of raising the potatoes from 
scoops, cuttings, and sets, have been severally 
tried with various success, but the old method is in 
most estimation. 

Potatoes are twice covered with the spade, and 
twice when sowed in drills, but the latter mode, in 
this respect, has the advantage ; the plough with- 
out mould boards passes up the centre of the fur- 
row and loosens the soil, the mould boards are then 
set on, and at both sides the loosened soil is thrown 
up. In the lazy-bed way, it will require twenty 
men to plant an Irish acre, and but three men and 
two horses to sow it in drills, or the value of the 

labour 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 193 

labour of five men altogether ; the saving is ma- 
nifest of fifteen men's labour, and of manure at 
least one half. 

2d. — Seed — quantity sown. If the lazy-bed way 
is adopted, about 200 stones of fourteen pounds are 
sowed to the Irish acre ; in the drill husbandry, 
rather less than half that quantity. Let the ad- 
vantages of the drill in the several stages be com- 
pared with the lazy-bed process, and the profit 
in every instance is in favour of the former, full 
two to one. 

3c?. — Sort. — The potatoe in general use here, 
is the early white, the black, and the Cork-red ; 
but, though the land is Unquestionably good, there 
must be a defect somewhere, either in the seed or 
culture, as the quality is in general inferior and of 
a diminutive size. In Munster, such potatoes would 
not be stored for the food of man ; that superior 
potatoe, the apple, which is so little cultivated here, 
is there in general use, and, after the early po- 
tatoe is exhausted, excels all other kinds for hold- 
ing good the longest time of any other species, for 
dryness, and for possessing more farina and con- 
siderably more weight than any other kind. The 
English red potatoe is coming into estimation in this 
country; the produce is superior to that of any other 
kind in poor land, but this potatoe is glutinous, and 



i94 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

grows very strong and rank after three or four 
months. 

The black potatoe is fruitful, and, I think, keeps 
better than any other kind, in general use, in 
this country. 

The apple potatoe requires both good ground, 
and rich manure, but it will well repay all ex pence. 

4th. — Time of planting. — From March to the 
latter end of May, in uplands, and from May 
till the middle of June, in moist or boggy soils. 
In this kind of soil, potatoes are often planted to 
change the seed, which, from long sowing in up- 
land, will degenerate, and this effectually answers 
the purpose. 

5th. — Digging out. — From the latter end of Oc- 
tober until the beginning of December, those sowed 
m the lazy -bed way are taken out with the spade, 
the drilled potatoes with the plough ; the labour 
of forty men is required for digging out one acre ; 
for the latter, two horses, the ploughman, driver, 
the pickers, and four men, to break and toss the 
clay, and separate it from the potatoes with their 
spades or forks. The saving in this mode is as 
great as in planting, as six men and two horses 
accomplish the work of forty men. 

6tk. Preserving. — This is more commonly by 
heaping them into the cabin, than by placing them 
in pits in the field ; it is a very slovenly method 

and 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. ioj 

and often occupies the room of two looms, always 
crowding the house. I cannot learn their reason 
for this practice, as their ground is so sound and 
dry they could be as well preserved in pits, here, 
as in any other part of Ireland, 

General hints on potatoe culture. 

As potatoes are liable to be nipped by frosts, 
this can be prevented by covering the ridge with 
turf-mould, for the depth of an inch or two, and 
besides it is a good manure to the soil. 

Scooping potatoes will save about one third of 
the seed, but they have a less chance of succeeding 
in a dry season than cuttings. 

In planting shoots, let a small portion of the 
skin of the potatoe be cut off with the eye, from 
which the shoot springs, and the crop will be con- 
siderably earlier. 

We are told, that after stripping the young po- 
tatoes from the roots of the stalks, early in the sea- 
son, and earthing them up, a second crop, and 
very abundant, has been yielded in the usual time. 

Shoots ought never to be taken from small or 
dwarfish potatoes, but from the largest size, and 
those which are the grossest are to be preferred, as 
possessing most vigour. 

2 Apple 



i$C STATISTICAL SURVEY 

Apple potatoes, for a keeping crop, ought to 
be planted late, not before the latter end of May ; 
the crop will be more luxuriant, and the quality 
superior ; the rains of July, which is generally a 
wet month, will serve it very much. 

To early crops the rain is injurious about mid- 
summer, as the potatoe is past the period of bene- 
fiting from moisture, and, if a dry season precedes 
July, they are stunted with drought. 

Scoops have a better chance in a moist than a 
dry soil ; however, they are only to be recommend- 
ed in times of scarcity ; there is no doubt of their 
success in a proper soil. 

Turf-bogs are remarkable for yielding excellent 
fciops of potatoes, and the soil good for preserving 
them, for which reason a potatoe pit lined with 
turf is esteemed preferable to straw ; the surface 
sod, which has the soft grass and herbage well wi- 
thered and dried, is the best for this purpose. 

The earliest crops will be produced from shoots, 
and even these are forced by keeping the potatoe 
warm and dry all the winter ; they may be planted 
in February, if the season is open, and put down 
with a setting stick in a soft dry soil, without in- 
juring the shoot, so deep as to leave the top about 
one inch below the surface, which should be co- 
-yered with turf mould to protect it from frost, as 

ft 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 197 

it springs very quickly ; great care should be 
taken in carrying the shoots to the field, that they 
are not broken, or they would be good for no- 
thing. 

The manure of ashes for potatoes should be ap- 
plied, when the ashes are most caustic ; ashes made 
the preceding year lose much of their substance* 
and virtue. 

An acre of potatoes, well cultivated, will average, 
at 3d. per stone, a return equal to 2$ I. 



FLAX CULTURE. 

I st. Preparation. — Flax is invariably sown on po- 
tatoe ground; the tillage land being almost entire- 
ly in the hands of small farmers, they are wedded 
to this practice ; they cultivate the plot carefully 
with the spade, but they omit rolling it, which is 
very necessary. Flax ground in this county is ge- 
nerally ploughed twice before Christmas, and once 
before the seed is put in. 

2d. Sort. — The flax-seed used here is of two 
sorts, the American, and Dutch; the latter is dear- 
er, but the produce considerably greater in a heavy 
cold soil. 

The produce of American seed, in the same kind 
of the soil, will be a third less, but it thrives better 
in a light soil. 

5ds 



< 



i 9 S STATISTICAL SURVEY 

3d. Seed — quantity sowed. — On the average, 
about thirty gallons of seed to the acre, which wili 
cost from two and a half to three guineas. 

4th. Time of sowing. — Generally about Easter, or 
earlier, if the season admits of it. 

5th. Weeding. — This is well performed, and very 
carefully attended to. 

6th. Harvest. — As little or no flax-seed is saved 
here, it is pulled when green, or just before it turns 
colour. It is supposed, by this practice, that the 
flax will make much finer yarn ; but this, I appre- 
hend, is a mistake ; as the finest Flanders laces^ are 
made from flax, which previously had yielded the 
seed. 

This subject, and the various other processes of 
watering, grassing, heckling, &c, I have minutely 
considered in the Survey of the County of Mo- 
naghan, to which the reader is referred. 



Crops not commonly cultivated to any extent. 

Under this head we may rate those which, in im- 
proved husbandry, are termed vegetable crops. I shall 
commence with soiling grasses ; that, which is culti- 
vated to a greater extent than any other of this class, 
is red clover. It is, however, to be lamented, that 

we 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 199 

we see such trifling patches of it ; much too small, in 
proportion even to the very limited size of the farms ; 
although the supply of milk depends so much on a 
due proportion of this valuable plant. The culture 
of clover is simple ; it will thrive in all but wet soils, 
whether loam, gravel, or clay. The best crops are 
produced from a rich, mellow soil, kept in due tilth, 
which should be carefully picked of stones, and 
ought to be lightly rolled before the seed is sown. 
In sowing the seed, it should be evenly distributed 
on the surface ; and a light harrowing will be suffi- 
cient, as it thrives with a very small sprinkling of 
mould over it ; perhaps not more than an inch of 
soil is sufficient, or what will secure it from the birds. 
It should not be sowed until the spring has set in 
inild and genial, when it is intended to be left for a 
late crop, and should be carefully weeded. The 
quantity to the English acre, when it is sowed for 
grass, should not be less than twenty pounds ; and 
some contend it cannot be sown too thick, as the 
plants of grasses shelter each other by their close- 
ness, and better retain the dews and moisture so 
necessary for their nutriment ; besides, the more 
slender the stalk, the fitter it is for cattle, and pre- 
ferred by them to strong coarse stems. Clover re- 
quires shelter when getting up ; for which reason, 
the crop is more vigorous when sowed with grain, 
than by itself. 

White 



xoo STATISTICAL SURVEY 

White clover is sown but by a few gentry, in lay- 
ing down demesne land in sheep-walk, and this but 
rarely. The culture of this plant is, in general, 
similar to that of red clover, but it is much more 
lasting and valuable to ground newly laid down. It 
thrives in a light, tilly, warm soil. Lime, or lime- 
stone-gravel, generally produces this fine herbage 
naturally, as does a burnt surface, in almost all soils ; 
and it will flourish as long as the calcareous matter 
holds good. 

Rye, or Ray -grass, is not at all cultivated here. 
When the gentry appropriate more of their demesne 
ground to sheep-walk, they will find the want of it, 
and become better acquainted with this valuable 
grass. It is particularly nutritious for ewes and 
lambs, coming in nearly a month earlier in the 
spring than other grasses. 

Rye-grass, sown with red clover, makes a fine 
green soiling early in the season, and may a second 
time be cut, and yield a crop of hay, if the seed has 
not previously been forward in^the head. 

Rye-grass gives the earliest meadowing, and the 
hay is very strong, and preferable for horses. The 
seed of this plant, when threshed from the hay, will 
produce to the value of Zl. sterling per acre. 

The other grasses, not cultivated here, are sain- 
foin, lucerne, timothy-grass, burnet, which are so 
valuable for soiling, and rank as vegetable crops. 

There 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 201 

There are but slight grounds to expect, that these 
o-rasses will be cultivated in this county, which are 
so rarelv seen in any of the best improved tanning 
parts of Ireland. I shall, therefore, leave the modes 
of their culture to some more experienced author. 

Having spoken of grasses of this class, I shall pro- 
ceed to other crops under the same denomination, 
and used as green food, which are but rarelv culti- 
vated here ; but it is hoped, that the gentry will sooa 
avail themselves of their great value, and become 
sensible of their importance, both to cattle, and also 
to the improvement of the soil. These are tut- 
nips, rape, cabbages, and vetches, or tares. 

I shall commence with 

TURNIPS. 

1st. Preparation.— Few soils, when judiciously tilled, 
but will produce this valuable plant. It is said to thrive 
best in a gravellv soil. I have seen the finest crops on 
cut-out bog, which had been levelled, drained, burnt, 
and graveled with a rich loamy limestone. To 
produce this plant to perfection, the ground must be 
brought to a very fine tilth by successive harrow- 
ings, and exposed to some months fallow in the 
winter, as the frost has the best effect in meliorating 
and pulverizing the soil. The longer it can be left 
in this state, previously to seed-sowing, the better, 

excent 



* 02 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

except weeds sprout, which should be well harrowed 
up and burned. The scuffler should now be used, 
to incorporate, or mix with the soil, the manure of 
lime or ashes, as may be judged expedient ; no im- 
plement can more effectually answer this purpose. 

But turnips may also be successfully raised, with- 
out leaving the ground idle in fallow. Here we are 
to presume it is in previous good tilth, having been 
under the culture of tares or vetches in the winter, 
which when cleared off, the ground should be well 
ploughed, cross-ploughed, and harrowed, and the 
weeds gathered with the scutch-rake, heaped toge- 
ther, burned, and the ashes mixed into the surface 
with the scuffler, on which the seed may be sown 
broadcast, or with the drilling machine, which is the 
better mode. By these means two green crops are 
raised, on the same plot, in one year; and both of 
these very enriching, and meliorating to the soil, 
for any culture. 

2d. Sort. — The "Swedish turnip, the purple, and 
the white oval turnip, are all excellent yielders. 
The purple is most certain, as lying deeper in the 
toil, and less liable to be injured by frost; but the 
green turnip grows to the largest size. 

3d. Seed — quantity sown. — In broad-cast, they 
seldom sow less than three pounds to the acre; but 
half that quantity will give a better crop, with drill 
husbandry. 

4th. 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. ttg 

4th. Time of sowing. — This is generally deter- 
mined by the time the farmer calculates he will have 
occasion for this root for his cattle. Early sowings 
are in the month of June, and are not calculated to 
last longer than the winter months, as early turnips 
are too apt to run to seed; but seed, sown in a month 
or five weeks after, will be preserved good consider- 
ably longer, though the crops will not generally be 
so productive. The purple turnip should be the 
latest crop. A slight rolling will be necessary after 
the seed is sown. 

5th. Culture whilst growing. — A careful attention 
to hoeing is particularly necessary, as the fresh earth 
about the roots gives a great supply of nourishment, 
and they swell very much after this operation. If 
the seed has been drilled in, they are easily hoed 
with the hand or horse hoe, at quarter the expence 
and trouble in broad-cast sowing. When the turnips 
are too thick and close, which is seen at the first 
hoeing, or just when they put out four or five leaves, 
the hoer draws the superficial plants, which are 
thrown in the drill alley, along with the weeds, or 
in the furrow in broad-cast husbandry. Children 
can be taught to hoe with as much expedition as 
men, and at an evident saving ; but, where the 
horse-hoe can be introduced, it will be by far 
cheaper than any other mode. 

«tk 



204 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

6th. Preserving. — Turnips may be preserved in 
pits, like as potatoes, having been previously ex- 
posed to the weather a few days after taking out of 
the ground, and the pit well lined with straw, which 
mode I have seen effectually answer ; or they may 
be preserved in a close house, with straw, after the 
following manner. A bed of straw being laid on the 
centre of the floor, which is free from damp, a layer 
of turnips may be spread thereon, and alternately a 
layer of straw ; the turnips should be placed in 
layers, of about eighteen inches or two feet thick, 
with so much of the straw projecting from the tur- 
nips, as will be sufficient to fold over, confine, and 
secure them from bulging out; this to be continued 
in every layer, always reducing its area, so that the 
last one will end in a conical shape, or come to a 
point. This mode is generally adopted in England, 
and has been recommended in the Bath Agricultural 
Papers. The heap may be made of any size, which 
the walls of the house will admit, leaving a free 
passage around the heap between it and the walls. 

7th. Produce and uses. — The produce of an acre 
of turnips is rated from forty to fifty tons weight, 
after good culture ; medium value four to five 
guineas. 

Their uses in feeding sheep and black cattle are 
so Aveli known, as to require no description; the 
ordure of these animals, after this feeding, is much 

more 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 205 
more valuable as a manure : indeed the very culture, 
of the crop imparts a high degree of vigour to 
the soil, and is an excellent and profitable substi- 
tute for fallow. 

RAPE. 

This plant may be cultivated for two purposes, 
as green food for cattle, or for the seed, from -which 
oil is extracted for various branches of manufacture 
and for lamp light. 

As green food, it is wholesome, and very greedily 
eaten by cattle ; it is seldom used until the turnips 
are consumed, and thus a constant succession of 
green food is kept up. For this purpose, trans- 
planted rape will produce the best crop, which 
must be raised in the seed-bed, brought to a very 
fine tilth, and well manured. The ground, into 
which it should be transplanted, should be ploughed 
in drills, and rich dung laid in the furrows, which 
are then to be closed up with the plough, thus 
changing the ridge into the furrows. The plants 
are sometimes laid in the dung, before the furrow 
is closed, and fixed upright by a person following 
the plough ; or they are set with a planting stick, 
as cabbages are planted in gardens. A due atten- 
tion must be had to earth up the transplanted rape 
with,. the horse-hoe, or by passing a* plough up the 

furrows, 



ao6 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

furrows, and then setting on a double mould-board, 
and earthing up at both sides in the one journey. — 
This crop also enriches the soil, prepares it for 
any culture, aud answers all the purposes of a 
fallow. The leaves are in spring in their full vi- 
gour, and should be stripped off the stalk, and 
carted home to the cattle. The new spring of de- 
licate sprouts, which will afterwards shoot out, may 
be used by turning in sheep, previously to plough- 
ing up the stalks. I have seen fifteen shillings per 
acre given for the run of a rape field in this state, 
after having yielded its winter supply : a numerous 
flock of sheep, I think six score, were turned in, 
and fully subsisted on about six acres of ground 
for four weeks, and in that short time Mere brought 
more quickly into condition than could possibly be 
expected . 

Rape culture for the seed may be broadcast, 
or in drills, but the latter husbandry is superior ; 
in this, as I believe in every other instance, a great 
attention should be paid to the time of its ripening, 
as it soon sheds ; the whole field generally ripens in 
one day, and should be then cut, for which reason, 
in the countries where they cultivate this plant, a 
sufficient number of hands is procured to cut it 
all in one\day ; this is voluntarily and without pricfe 
contributed to by all the neighbouring farmers and 
labourer/, who generally thresh the grain ont rhs 

stubble*, 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 207 
stubbles, with sheets spread underneath, the moment 
it is cut, as it would not bear the carriage home 
to the haggard, but would shed on the way. This 
is always a feasting day at the expence of tha 
proprietor, but no wages are paid. 

Soap-boilers purchase the ashes of the straw, for 
which they pay generally at the rate of two shillings 
and six pence, or three shillings, for every barrel 
of seed which the crop has yielded, seventeen stones, 
of fourteen pounds each, making a barrel. 

This crop thrives well in a wet season in upland 
newly broken, after a crop of potatoes, and is ex- 
tremely luxuriant in boggy soils, in a dry season, 
which have been well drained. 

Rape seed for oil has hitherto, of late years, kept 
up a good price, average one guinea and a half per 
barrel. The crop is precarious according to the sea- 
son, but the average may be ten pounds per acre ; 
some acres frequently yield three times that sum. 

By erecting a rape-mill for the manufacture of 
the oil, and by introducing the mode of culture, 
and the consequent profit of the crop, there would 
be some encouragement to engage in this culture ; the 
want of a market for the seed is the only objection, 
that can ever be raised against it ; yet many farmers 
in Munster will send it thirty or forty jniles tp 
market, and no crop will pay so well. 

No 



so8 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

No manufacture require less expence, when the 
mill-work is complete ; the rape-cake will pay all 
cost, and leave a valuable surplus, independent of 
the value of the oil ; one barrel of seed will, on an 
average, yield eleven gallons of oil ; the average 
price is about five shillings per gallon, when the 
cost of the seed is one guinea and a half per barrel, 
which is an enormous profit, as the rape-cake 
more than pays the expence of manufacture, 
it being rated at about four shillings per hun- 
dred weight, either for the purpose of manure 
or feeding cattle. Notwithstanding the encreasing 
culture of this plant for oil, and the many oil-mills, 
which of late years have been erected in the south of 
Ireland particularly, still the price holds up, and 
rather gradually encreases. 

The machinery of an oil-mill is very ingenious, 
and rather expensive ; a complete mill will not be 
fitted up for less than lOOOl. exclusive of storage ; 
only one man and a boy arc required in the ma- 
nufacture, but there must be a helper or two, to 
turn the raw seed on the lofts according to the 
quantity of stock. This seed must be most care- 
fully and frequently turned, when it is new, and, in 
that state, it will often heat in the carriage of a 
few hours journey in the sacks. It should never be 
left in the sacks, but, if it shews any indication of 
heating, should be constantly turned ; four, five, 

or 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 209 

or six times a day will often be necessary, as beat- 
ing will lessen its value by several shillings in the 
barrel ; after a month or two, it will not require 
turning above once in every three or four weeks. 

CABBAGES. ^ 

The culture of this plant, for food for cattle, may /<? & ^ 
be successfully practised, under the direction for 
rape culture. 

If the seed is sowed with the drill machine, the 
superabundant plants may be drawn with the weeds ; 
but transplanted cabbages, on ground well manured 
with dung, always ensure good crops. Quantity of 
seed sown, from sixteen to twenty pounds the statute 
acre. When cabbage-plants are reared for the sup- 
ply of gardens, and sold in the markets, the profit it 
oftentimes from 30/. to 100/. value per acre. 



Are excellent food for cattle. To bring these^ 
crops to perfection, the ground should be ploughed, 
and dug very deep ; having naturally a loose open 
soil, reduced to a fine tilth, and well cleared of stones, 
I have seen fine crops of carrots, which had been 
drilled in, produce from two hundred to six hundred 
"bushels per statute acre ; medium, four hundred. 

P In 



2io STATISTICAL SURVEY 

In a few days hogs will fatten on carrots, and the 
fat becomes firm and transparent. They are also ex- 
cellent food for horses, and very grateful to that 
animal. 

potatoes, 

As intended for feeding cattle, are also a profit- 
able crop. Their culture has been already spoken 
of. But we shall conclude the subject of green food 
for cattle with some remarks on the crops of tares 
and vetches, of no less importance than any of the 
preceding. 

TARES AND VETCHES. 

The great value of this crop is, providing food for 
a large stock of cattle in the hands of a farmer, who 
is principally engaged in tillage ; thus ensuring an 
ample supply of manure for his crops. Indeed this 
is the great superiority, which green crops in general 
have, and in preparing the ground for corn crops 
without fallowing ; which none of them so fully an- 
swers every purpose of, as do tares or vetches. 
They so effectually enrich the soil, that they are said 
to leave the field, in Which they have been sown, a 
rank dunghill. The process of their culture is as 
follows. 

1st. Preparation. 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 211 

1st. Preparation— Plough the field in high ridges, 
rounded at top, and rather convexed, so as the 
moisture may easily flow off; on which sow the seed, 
which may be covered with the harrow, or lightly 
with the shovel, as barley is trenched. Farmers 
generally choose their poorest soils for this culture, 
which it is sure to enrich ; and the field must be 
very poor indeed, if they give it a previous manur- 
ing. Vetches may be sown with great success with 
the drilling machine. 

2cl. Sort. — The sort most generally in use is the 
■winter vetch ; the other is the spring vetch. There 
is, however, a great variety of this species, but those 
two sorts only are sown. The former kind defies 
the severity of the season, which the latter is liable 
to be greatly injured by, and should be steeped be- 
fore sowing, if the weather is very dry, which will 
very much forward its vegetation. 

3d. & 4th. Seed (quantity sown), and Time of 
sowing. — About twelve stone per statute acre^, when 
the crop is intended for soiling early in the spring ; 
but the quantity varies according to the time of sow- 
ing, or rather the time when it it intended for use. 
Winter vetches, which are used as soil, should, if 
sown in August or September, have eight stone to the 
statute acre, but be considerably decreased in quan- 
tity as the sowing is deferred, and should be all put 
in the ground against the latter end of October. 

p 2 Rich 



212 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

Rich soils will not require as much seed as poor 
land ; nor will a crop, sown for seed, require by two 
or three stone so much, as that intended for soiling. 
I have seen, at the Right Hon. John Foster's, at 
Collon, a parcel of ground laid out for a regular 
succession, which was cultivated in a very superior 
style. Judicious farmers should sow it at several 
periods, to ensure this succession. Spring vetches 
are sown for hay in February and March. 

5th. Culture. — Weeding should be carefully- 
attended to, and fully drawn up, so as to leave no- 
thing to interrupt the scythe. For this purpose, 
large stones should be picked off the ground, before 
the crop rises. 

6th. Harvesting. — The winter vetch comes in 
two or three weeks earlier than the spring vetch. 
They are fit for use, as soil, when the blossom ap- 
pears ; but, if intended for hay, they should not be 
cut until the pod is formed, and just before the blos- 
som drops. 

The scythe should be shorter than usual for cut- 
ting them, and it will be found much more conve- 
nient than the long meadow scythe. The time of 
cutting ought to be particularly attended to, as, if 
they are let to grow too strong, and the stalks too 
large, cattle will refuse them. Perhaps the best 
mode is to use every crop for both the purposes of 
soiling and of hay ; giving the crop, whilst in blos- 
som, 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 213 

som, to the cattle, and to make what remains, after 
the pod is formed, into hay. By this mode none 
will be wasted. Vetches, however, require good 
weather, when mowed, to insure their making good 
hay ; for, if they are made up in wet weather, they 
are liable to rot. When cut, and well dried, they 
are made up into sheaves, like corn, and should be 
drawn home before they receive wet, which occa- 
sions their shedding the seed. Wet will have this 
same effect on them at all times after cutting, for 
which reason they should be carefully covered, or 
kept in an office for that purpose. 

7th. Produce. — The weight of hay from an English 
acre may be from two and a half to three tons, on poor 
land ; the value is no ways inferior to that of the best 
meadow hay, on rich soils, and the produce is more 
than trebled. The seed of an acre, when threshed 
from the straw, will generally yield ten barrels ; 
average value, from thirty to forty shillings per 
barrel. 

8th. Appropriation. — Horses greedily eat vetches, 
either as soil, or hay ; in the latter stage it is far 
preferable, and better food for this animal. Black 
cattle and sheep greatly delight in this soil, and fat- 
ten very rapidly. Stock should be housed on 
this, and, indeed, on all vegetable crops, which con^ 
siderably encreases and enriches their duno-. Some 
farmers feed their stock on the land ; this should 

never 



3H STATISTICAL SURVEY 

never be done but in folds, as so mucb is destroyed 
by tramping. The seed, when saved, should be for 
a length of time exposed to the sun and air, and fre- 
quently turned, before it should be stored. The 
strong vetch, which black cattle will refuse, should 
be picked out of their soiling, and given to horses. 

PEAS. 

This crop thrives in a light gravelly soil, is sel- 
dom used as green food, but, when ripe, is threshed, 
and the straw made into dung, or burned for ma- 
nure. Two kinds of this pulse are in use, the white, 
and the grey ; the former for culinary purposes, 
when, split ; the latter is kiln-dried, and ground up 
for meal, which is a very insipid and unwholesome 
food, except when mixed with equal parts of wheat- 
meal, which renders it more nutritious, and less 
heating. It is frequently given, in the straw and 
pod, to horses Vor food, and admirably agrees with 

tilCil). 

Pigeons delight in this food ; and they, who rear 
those birds for market, well know its value. The 
price of peas is generally from twenty to thirty shil- 
lings per barrel, of twenty stone. Medium produce, 
seven barrels per acre. 

BEANS, 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 2iJ 



BEANS, 

May be sown either after a corn or a green crop. 
They are most perfectly sown in drills, as being 
more easily hoed by the hand or horse hoe. When 
split, and given to horses, they become the very best 
and most strengthening food. They are cultivated 
in this county in small patches only, and all for the 
food of man, and are generally boiled, and meshed 
with oatmeal, milk, butter, and pepper. This dish 
is provincially called stulk, is wholesome, and very 
palatable. 

Beans thrive in a deep, moist soil. They should 
be drilled or sowed in furrows, to admit a free cir- 
culation of air, as they continue a long time grow- 
ing ; this is extremely necessary, as, otherwise, much 
of the crop is smothered and rotted, and the pods 
but poorly filled. 

Early in the year, after the heavy frosts, the 

ground for beans, which has been previously 

ploughed, and left under fallow, should be harrowed 

finely, and the seed sown. If not drilled in, they 

should be trenched, the mould beaten with the back 

of the shovel, until reduced to a fine tilth, and the 

seed covered pretty deep, to six or seven inches. 

They should be sown in dry weather, and the plants 

either hand or horse hoed. 

Beans 



216 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

Beans are preserved in the pods, by tying the 
stalks in the fork of a tree, and thatching them over 
with straw, when only saved for seed in the garden ; 
but, when in large quantities, they are stacked in the 
pods in the haggard, and thatched carefully. 



HEMP. 

Of the culture of this most useful plant we have 
very little knowledge, though, in many respects, it 
is nearly similar to flax. For a very minute account 
of its culture, management, and uses, the reader is 
referred to the Statistical Survey of the County of 
Cavan by the author. 



CHAP. 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 217 



CHAPTER VIIL 



PASTURE, 



Sect. 1 . Nature of it. 

THE pasturage of this county is naturally sweet 
and wholesome. The limestone furnishes much 
earlier grass than the clay soils ; however, in sum- 
mer, these latter soils yield grasses more abundantly, 
and better resist a burning sun, and they are more 
productive for the pail ; but there is very little sys- 
tematic arrangement for grass. The numerous small 
farmers never lay down their grounds with grass- 
seeds ; stubbles supply their winter pasture ; and 
small patches of clover, with the casual herbage of 
the ditches and road side, afford a scanty subsistence 
in summer, together with potatoe-tops, and the 
gleanings of their little gardens. 

When the farmer holds land on the banks of 
rivers, or in low moist situations, it is mostly em- 
ployed 



jm8 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

ployed for dairy purposes. In the valleys, which are 
numerous, in consequence of the great undulation of 
the surface, rich grasses are natural to the soil ; 
these spots are chosen for meado_\v land. A little 
meadow land is considered a great prize, and, -where 
it can be afforded on the small farm, it is to the 
great prejudice of the cow in the summer season. 

Very fine natural grasses spring on the edges of 
turf-bog, particularly on that part which has been 
burned to raise a supply of manure. But, although 
this great benefit is pointed out by nature, yet few 
take advantage of it, when so little labour would, in 
such districts, afford a great profit, and an ample 
growth of grass. In the hands of spirited and expe- 
rienced reclaimers of turf-bog, this kind of land 
soon becomes the most valuable meadow ; and they 
depend on it for their supply of hay, with more cer- 
tainty than in upland meadows. 

In the mountainous parts the pasturage is short 
and prolific, but not fattening ; although grown cat- 
tle will not improve, they, however, do not decline 
on it; it rather furnishes a good belly-full, than it 
imparts much nutriment, except to young cattle, 
which thrive well on it. 

The proportion of grass lands to tillage, in the 
populous places, and best soils, is rather less than as 
one to five ; but in the mountainous districts the re- 
verse is under the proportion. Young cattle chiefly 

occupy 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 219 

occupy the grass of the latter district, and milch 
cows the meadow of the former. There is so small a 
share of the lands (excepting in demesnes) appropri- 
ated to feeding heavy stock, that it cannot be taken. 
into account ; and as to sheep-walk, that is entirely 
confined to the parks of the gentry ; so that there 
is no regular trade in the county of fattening black 
cattle or sheep for market. 

But what good pasturage can there be expected to 
be produced in a country, where every field of grass, 
in the tillage district, is that, which is no longer ca- 
pable of producing corn, and let out wild, without 
culture, grass seeds, or any kind of manure? Yet 
such is too often the abuse of this excellent soiL 

In the many places I have seen in this count}-, the 
soil, if judiciously cultivated, would be equal to sus- 
tain twice the quantity of stock, which now barely 
have an existence in it. 

In five-acre farms, they endeavour to proportion 
grass to tillage, as one and a half to five; of this 
two-thirds are pasturage, and the remaining third is 
meadow. 

The prices of grazing, in the mountainous dis- 
tricts, are very low. This extensive range is gene- 
rally set, without a previous admeasurement, at a 
small bulk rent. The boundaries of estates are not 
well defined here, nor is there much trouble taken to 
have them ascertained. 

Sect* 



220 STATISTICAL SURVEY 



Sect. 2. Breed of cattle — how far improved f 

In the black cattle, the defects, and also the 
beauties, of the native breed are occasionally seen. 
Hitherto there have been but small pains taken to 
improve them ; very few of the gentry have yet en- 
tered with spirit into this desirable pursuit. Amongst 
the foremost of these few is Mr. Brownlow, of Lur- 
gan. But in the twelfth and thirteenth chapters this 
subject will again be necessarily considered. 



Sect. 3. Hoxvfar capable of farther improvement 



Perhaps, as milch cattle, they require no im- 
provement, having already a decided superiority in 
this respect ; all they want is a sufficiency of pas- 
turage. The same reason may, perhaps, truly apply 
why the breed is here rather small, and insufficient 
in bone, for the purposes of draught; and, indeed, 
is proved in those sent from hence to Fermanagh 
county, where, as the grass is rich and much more 
abundant, they soon grow to a large size. In gene- 
ral they are fine in the neck and horn, but they re- 
quire 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 221 

quire a good deal of food to keep them in condition. 
This has been remarked by some gentlemen, who 
have had this stock on the best pastures. 



Sect. 4. Markets or Fairs for them. 

In the second section of the tenth chapter, the 
market-towns will be particularly noticed, in the 
table of towns and villages. Generally at fairs, the 
traffic for the interior of the country consists in sell- 
ing out strippers, and buying in springers, or newly 
calved cows ; and there is much dealing in horses of 
every description. 

Young horses and black cattle are purchased for 
the mountainous districts ; and much of this stock, 
brought to fairs, have been reared on these lands, 
and sold by one farmer to another. Fermanagh 
graziers are ready purchasers for cattle fit for feed- 
ing. Stock to a considerable amount is purchased 
by jobbers, who drive them from fair to fair, or pur- 
chase them for exportation to Scotland, making out 
a very lucrative trade. Indeed to the dealing at 
fairs, amongst jobbers, we may very much attribute 
the great rise on cattle of late years. The sale of 
pigs is very great, both alive and slaughtered, for 
exportation ; but that of sheep is inconsiderable. 

Alphabetical 



222 STATISTICAL SURVEY 



Alphabetical List of the Fairs of this County, 

1. Acton, (May 4), (Dec, 12). Custom free. 

2. Armagh, (March 28), (May 20), (July 10), (Aug. 12), 

(Oct. 4), (Nov. 1). 

3. Baleek, (Feb. 3), (May 3), (Aug. 3), (Nov. 4). 

4. Ballybought, (March 22), (June 21), (Sept. 2c), 

(Nov. 22). 

5. Ballyneglera, (Jan. 5), (June 8), (Aug. 12), (Oct. 3,) 

(Nov. 8), Dec. 11). 

6. Charlemont, (May 12), (Aug. 16), (Nov. 12). 

7. Clare, (May 12). 

ft. Clough, (May 3), (Dec. 6). 

9. Coollaville, (April 26, two days), (Oct. 26, two days). 
10. Cross, (May 30), (Aug. 5), (Sept. 5), (Dec. 27). 
ir. Fork-hill, (May 2), (Aug. 1), (Sept. 29), (Dec. 8). 

12. Hamilton's Bawn, (May 26), (Nov. 26). 

13. Johnston's-bridge, (May 25), (July 25), (Sept. 25), 

(Nov. 25). 

14. Jonesborough, (June 4), (Aug. 15), (Oct. 21), (Dec. 2 r). 

15. Keady, (Jan. 17), (Feb. 13), (March 17), (April 4), 

(June 4), (July 5), (Aug. 15), (Oct. 14), (Nov. 17). 

1 6. Killyleagh, (the last Friday in each month). 

17. Legacurry, (Feb. 9), (July 26), (Oct. 15). 

18. Loughgall, (Jan. 1), (May 5), (July 1), (Sept. 5), 

(Dec. 30). 

19. Lurgan, (Aug. 5, two days), (Nov. 22, two days). 

20. Maghery, (April 30), (June 24), (Oct. 31.) 

21. Market-hill, (May 5), (June 22), (Oct. 26). 

22. Middleton, (Feb. 5), (May 4), (Aug. 8), (Sept. 12), 

(Nov. 4), (Dec. 28). 

23. Newtown- 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 223 

23. Newtown-Hamilton, (May 7), (Nov. 7). 

24. Poyntz's-pass, (Jan. 4), (Feb. 1), (March 1), (April 5), 

(May 3), (June 7), (July 9), (Aug. 2), (Sept. 4), 
(Oct. 4), (Nov. 1), (Dec. 6). 

25. Portadown, (March 28), (April 14), (May 16), (June 

2), (Nov. 13). 

26. Portnorris, (Feb. 12), (May 14), (July 16), (Oct. 10). 

27. Surgowney, (Jan. 12), (May 14). 

28. Tanderagee, (July 5), (Nov. 5). 

29. Tullyvallen, (May 6), (Nov. 6). 

30. Tuscan's-pass, (March 28), (April 26), (Nov. 8), 



Sect. 5. General Prices, 

Milch cows, bought in from eight to twelve 
guineas; medium price, 10/. 

Dry cows, sold out at from five to eight guineas ; 
medium price, 6/. 

Dry cows kept up for spring sale from November ; 
condition generally bad. 

Sheep, on an average, 10s. per head for the sea- 
son's grass, besides the fleece. 

Fat cattle, generally fed out of the count}', or in 
demesnes; price, 8/. to 14/.; medium, ten guineas. 

Two-year-old oxen, from six to nine guineas. 
Ewes, in poor order, from seven to twelve shillings 
each. 

Young 



224 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

Young pigs, which lately sold at one guinea each, 
are now so low as half a guinea. 

Slips for fattening, from twenty-five to forty shil- 
lings. 

Fat pigs, ad valorem, at about 4tf. per pound, alive. 
The average weight of fat pigs, about three hun- 
dred and a half to four hundred weight. Milch 
cows, bought in for ten guineas, will sell out dry at 
from five to six guineas in spring, and, on good 
keeping, will be fat against Christmas, and be sold 
to a profit of from three to five guineas. Dry cows 
seldom exceed four hundred weight. 

Working horses sell in spring for from 5l. to 10/. ; 
medium ll. Winter provender is so scarce, that this 
stock sells out at full one-half loss. They prefer 
smart, well-turned, light cattle, -which answer for 
their spring work, after which they make them up 
for fairs in distant counties, to be sold for the 
saddle. 

The fairs of Palmerstown and Donny brook, in 
the county of Dublin, are always well frequented by 
Armagh dealers. 



Sect. 6. Modes of feeding — how far housed in 
winter. 

I have already observed, that feeding is prac- 
tised only in demesnes, and always on grass only. 

Stall- 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. %%$ 

S tali-feeding is seldom engaged in but for home 
consumption ; the food hay only. Milch cows are 
housed only from December till May. 



Sects. 7, & 8. Natural grasses — Artificial grasses.. 

The natural grasses of this county have been par- 
ticularly noticed in the sixth section of the first 
chapter ; and in the first section of this chapter the 
nature of the pasture has been considered. 

The culture of artificial grasses, which have been 
recommended, is treated of in the last section of 
the preceding chapter, under the head of Crops not 
commonly cultivated to any extent. 

In converting grass-land to tillage, they take the 
first crop potatoes, but they manure with lime on 
the surface, sometimes three years before the sod is 
broken, and this they conceive superior to liming 
the broken ground ; they contend, that the grass 
crops in the interim are greatly superior, and that 
the ground virtually possesses ail the good effects, 
as when lime is incorporated by tillage into the soil. 
The second crop is generally potatoes, and also the 
third. Flax occupies a small proportion of the po- 
tatoe plot, and barley the remainder, if the soil is 
dry t and of a fine tilth ; if otherwise, they sow it 
0. with 



J 26 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

with oats. Of this last grain they take three suc- 
cessive crops. They never lay down, except in de- 
mesnes, with grass-seeds and white clover. 



Sect. 9. Mode of Hay -making. 

Meadows are becrun to be cut about the latter 
end of June, and mowing generally holds for two 
months or more, as the grass ripens, or the weather 
permits. The hay crops are lighter than in more 
southern districts ; the quality is sweet and whole- 
some, but the hay is deprived of some of its juices by 
too great exposure to the weather. Hay on limestone 
soils will not require so much drying. Afier cut- 
ting, they make small grass-cocks, which they leave 
(k> for one day in good weather ; next, they make 
these into top-cocks, and in this state they leave the 
hay frequently for a week, which is very wrong. 
The tramp-cocks which they now make arc very 
small, not containing more than from seven to ten 
hundred weight, and are left in the fields until the 
harvest is got up. In proportion to the number of 
these tramp-cocks, the quantity of hay is destroyed 
which composes their bottoms and tops ; besides, the 
ground on which they stand is scalded, and, without 
manure, will not yield grass the next year. Add to 

these 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 227 

these losses the cutting up of the fine aftergrass 
with the cars and horses, when they draw home the 
hay, at the time of its best vigour, and this mode 
must be condemned in the eyes of every thinking 
person. This has been admitted ; but they argue, 
that their climate will not allow them to draw home 
the hay, without having been long kept in the 
field. If so, these tramp-cocks should be made con- 
venient to the gate, and thus the entire grass of the 
field would be saved from destruction. But, surely, 
these cocks might as well be made at first in an airy 
haggard, and would be convenient at any time to 
be made together into a rick. 

The annexed plan represents a machine peculiarly 
well adapted to hoist hay or corn to the rick, in a 
car-load at each draught. 



*&> 



The 



2t% 



STATISTICAL SURVEY 




The proportions are asfol 



rhe main pole from the ground to the collar 
twenty feet. The top pole from the collar to the 
arm eight feet. The length of the arm from the pole 

to 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 2#p 

to the pulley and block fourteen feet. The length 
of the short part of the arm eight feet. 

Thomas James Rawson, Esq. of Cardington, near, 
Athy, in the county of Kildare, is the inventor, 



Sect.. 10, Dairies — their produce. 

Although there are no farmers exclusively in 
this branch of husbandry, yet, in the aggregate, a 
considerable quantity of butter is sold in Armagh 
and Newry markets for exportation. The small fir- 
kins, in which this article comes to market, prove 
the very slender stock of milch cows with each pro- 
prietor. It must not be understood, that the nu- 
merous small firkins, which are purchased in Newry, 
are all the produce of this county ; perhaps not a 
fifth or sixth part will be found to be so. The 
counties of Cavan, Monaghan, Down, and Tyrone^ 
send a great supply, any of them much more than 
Armagh ; and I can shew two reasons for the asser- 
tion. Those counties are more extensive, and the 
people are more wealthy, and, of course, live bet- 
ter, and can afford to consume their butter in their 
own houses. Scarcely any farmer is without a cow; 
many have two or three, but their pastures are al- 
ways overstocked. It is generally the wealthiest 

farmer 



23© STATISTICAL SURVEY 

farmer who sends most butter to market ; perhaps 
he keeps the second cow entirely for profit. Some 
Belfast buyers employ commissioners at the prin- 
cipal towns to buy butter, which is sent thither by 
the Newry canal. One hundred weight of butter per 
cow is considered the usual yielding, but perhaps not 
above half of this quantity goes to market. The 
proportion of milch cows to the size of the farm is, 
for every small farm, under five acres, one cow ; if 
exceeding five acres, and not exceeding ten, per- 
haps two, seldom more. There are no extensive 
dairy farms in the county. 



Sect, 11, Prices of Hides •, Tallow, Wool, and 
quantity sold. 

There is no great trade in any of these articles. 
When we shall speak of the trade of the several 
towns in the county, what usually occurs under this 
head will be mentioned. The average prices through 
the county the last year were ; 

Green hides, according to weight, 

from - - 35s. to 45s. bd. per cwt. 

Calf-skins, ad valorem, from 2s. ed. to 6s. 6d. per skin. 
Tallow, ... 60s. per cwt. 

Wool, - - 1 8s. per stone of 16 lbs. 

This 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 23* 

This last article is retailed in small parcels, at an 
advance of two-pence or three-pence per pound, and 
is usually sold at fairs; it is principally manufac- 
tured into coarse druggets and blankets. Very little 
of the wool, which this county affords, is exposed to 
sale ; the very slender stock in the hands of an indi- 
vidual is reserved fov home uses. 



CHAP. 



2J2 STATISTICAL SURVEY 



CHAP. IX. 



FARMS. 



Sect. 1 . Their size. 

THIS particular has been often spoken of ; but for 
sake of regularity, in reply to the query, I shall re- 
peat that the average size of farms may be five acres ; 
the rent of the best cultivated districts three half 
guineas per acre, and from thence down to fourteen 
shillings. The medium rent of the poorest grounds, 
or mountainous district, five shillings per acre. 



Sect. 2. Farm Houses and Offices. 

There is so material a difference in this respect, 
between the centre and the boundaries of the county, 
that no average report can be strictly given. In the 

former 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 233 

former the houses are remarkably comfortable, sur- 
rounded with orchards and neat enclosures ; in the 
latter the reverse is the case, though still improving. 
Very little actual poverty, or few miserable huts, to 
be seen at all. The offices are not many, nor are 
they to be spoken of with any degree of credit. A 
stand for corn-stacks is rarely seen out of a jrentle- 

J o 

man's farm-yard. 



Sect. 3. Mode of repairing them. 

The tenant always repairs at his own cost. If he 
is really improving and industrious, he seldom fails 
of assistance, from his landlord, of timber and other 
indulgences. 

Sects. 4, 5, 6. Nature of Tenures; General state 
of Leases ; of particular Clauses therein. 

General information on this subject is given in 
the second section of the second chapter. 

The working weavers, who form the great bulk of 
the people, generally hold at will from the manufac- 
turer or employer, or farmer, if we may so call him, 
as being a landholder. A very scanty garden, cot- 
tage, 



254 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

tage, turf bog, and grass for a cow are furnished 
him, for which he pays about five pounds or gui- 
neas per annum. He is, by his agreement, to work 
in the field or at the loom at the option of his em- 
ployer ; if the former, the average wages is one 
shilling per day ; the latter business is generally by 
task work. 

Perpetuities are only in the hands of wealthy in- 
dividuals, and those are but few. The general 
term of leases twenty-one years, and a life, but 
they are seldom clogged with restrictive or parti- 
cular clauses. 



Sect. 7. Taxes or Cesses paid by Tenants. 

County cess and parish taxes only. The great 
subdivisions of farms often occasion much wrangling 
about the several proportions ; in this case, the 
weakest too often pays the greater share. The coun- 
ty cess is more chearfully furnished, as the benefits 
are individually felt, labour on the public roads be- 
ing well paid for. 



Sect. 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 235 

Sect. 8. Proportion of working horses, or bullocks, 
to the size of farms. 

There is not a horse on every farm in the county 
for the work of that farm; a plough of cattle is 
made up by neighbouring farmers, who accomodate 
each other in turn, and there are no working bul- 
locks at all. But, if the query should be, whether 
the number of farms or of horses be greater in 
the county ? the answer would be greatly in favour 
of the horses. But, as I have already noticed, horses 
are speculated in for an exclusive trade, per- 
haps as much by townsfolk as by farmers, and are 
oftentimes only purchased for the probability of 
selling again at a large profit; we may conclude 
there is small use for working cattle, when we con- 
sider there is scarcely any but spring ploughing, 
during the }'ear ; of course, there is more work 
for their cattle at markets than in the field ; they 
are employed much longer in drawing turf and ma- 
nure^ than they are in the plough and harrow. 

Sects. 9, 10, 11. General size of f elds, or enclo- 
sures ; nature of fences ; mode of hedge-rows and, 
keeping hedges. 

Grass fields, or well inclosed parks, close to the 
dwelling, which are not intended to be broken up 

for 



ztf STATISTICAL SURVEY 

for tillage, are neatly fenced with quickset hedges, 
and are generally in size under one acre. The or- 
chard is also well inclosed, but covers a very small 
area ; the boundaries of the farm are generally well 
fenced, but the interior of it is mostly without 
any permanent division to keep cattle from tres- 
passing on the corn ; to prevent this, they tie their 
cattle to a stake, giving them a range of rope, till 
the plot within their reach is eaten down. 

The fences are of white- thorn, with a ditch, or fre- 
quently are only loose stone walls; this boundary 
is repaired yearly, in turn, by the farmers whose 
lands join ; but in several parts of the county 
fencing is shamefnlly neglected, and it is no uncom- 
mon thing, when the lease of a farm is nearly ex- 
pired, to destroy the fences, and other improve- 
ments, to prevent the rent being raised in the new 
lease. Many of the gentiy, as I shall just now 
shew, are extremely attentive to making good 
fences. Planting screens and clumps is now a more 
favourite pursuit, than that of hedge-rows, which 
in the present style of ornamental improvements 
give place to the former. 

Sect. 12. Mode of draining, 

Is generally by open sewers in the mountainous dis- 
trict ; the interior of the county requires but little 

draining, 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 237 

draining, as possessing a fine dry soil; the draining 
here is by French sewers ; in moist lands they make 
open drains, which are only attended to, whilst the 
crop stands ; very little has been yet done in drain- 
ing turf bogs, or in making lasting drains through 
the lands, nor has the draining by the auger been 
yet attempted. I have seen some improvements 
by draining, when the trench was only opened in 
moory soils for the purpose of procuring manure. 

The mountainous district might be made very 
valuable land, by a small attention to this branch ; 
the numerous springs and quas,* which cover a 
great portion of ground, might be easily diverted 
off the surface, and large plots acquired which are 
now of no value. 

Water, which lies on the surface and proceeds from, 
rains, is easily diverted off, by sinking drains accord- 
ing to the fall of the ground ; but the grand method 
of arriving at springs has been lately discovered by 
the ingenious Mr. Elkington, for which the parlia- 
ment of Great Britain have rewarded him with a 
grant of one thousand pounds, and this has been ef- 
fectually accomplished by the auger, or tapping 
and boring the earth, until the spring is reached, 
so that the water flows through this passage. Of 
this useful instrument, and of the method of using 1 it, 
I have already given an account in my Statistical 
Survey of the county of Cavan, Chap. viii. Sect. 3. 

Sect, 
* Quas, a proyinciaHsm> signifying quagmires* 



2 3 $ STATISTICAL SURVEY 



Sect. 13. Nature of Manures. 

JLime is the general manure and powerfully effec- 
tive in this country ; it is chietly mixed with dung, 
clay, &c. for the culture of potatoes ; it is also 
applied in surface dressings to grass lands, prepa- 
ratory to a tillage course : the quantity varies very 
much, from fifty to sometimes but ten barrels to 
the acre. Dung made of every scraping mixed 
with bog-stuff, when conveniently had, is also used, 
and with good effect, if a small portion of lime is 
added to the compost. In the clay soils, lime is 
not mixed with other composts, and succeeds better 
than any other manure ; this is carried perhaps from 
ten to twelve miles distance ; there are few in- 
stances, in which dung is applied to the raising of 
corn crops, their potatoe culture requiring all that 
can be supplied from their slender stock of live 
animals on such small farms. I have seen very 
fine crops of potatoes in a boggy soil, which had 
but a very slight sprinkling of lime, and no other 
manure ; excellent crops of this root are raised in 
moory soils, with the manure of turf ashes; burning 
is however only permitted in low boggy soils. 

The 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 239 

The quantity of lime is proportioned to the length 
of time the ground has lain untilled, as, on stub- 
bles, they only lay half the quantity they would 
spread on land long in grass : but we should sup- 
pose that, the later the soil has been in tillage, it 
would require the more of a revigorating manure, 
and vice, versa with old lea ; the farmers here, as 
elsewhere, are fond of old customs and their own 
opinions, which they defend on this principle, 
that lime, being spread on stubbles, is immediately 
ploughed in, and of course the grass receives no 
virtues of this manure, whereas in manuring lea 
two or three seasons before a course of tillage 
they assert, that two or three good crops of grass 
are ensured, and that they have the sod in fine 
preparation for quickly rotting, and the ground 
meliorated against the tillage course ; and that, in 
liming on the stubbles, the good effects of this 
manure will not appear, except there are three, or 
two ploughings at the least, before the seed is 
sown. 

Another mode of liming is also practised, when 
they mean to work the soil to the utmost it can 
produce, or, in other words, to run it out, previ- 
ously to the expiration of a lease, which they do 
not expect will be renewed : they spread the lime 
on the potatoe ridge, which they cover with dung, 
and thereon lay the seed with two or three sho- 

velings 



2 4 o STATISTICAL SURVEY 

Telrngs of earth ; this ensures a great crop ; wheat, 
or barley, or both, are next sown, the potatoe 
plot being divided under these two two crops, 
and this culture held for four successive seasons, 
changing plots each year from wheat to a barley 
crop, and vice versa, and seldom with more than 
one ploughing. No intermediate green crop is 
ever sowed, or any manure applied, and the whole 
field is then given up to raising oats, and it is held 
in this tillage whilst it can yield a crop, which some- 
times it will for three, four, or five successive sea- 
sons, until it is totally exhausted ; this mode is fully 
as destructive to land as burning, and yields as ample 
crops. 

Lime is applied to clay lands with advantage, 
but I have observed many farms of this county, 
where it has been prejudicial on light soils, par- 
ticularly of limestone, where it had not been previ- 
ously mixed with clay or bog-stuff, but was applied 
in its caustic state. 

Limestone gravel, as a manure on deep stiff clays, 
or on mooiy soils, is superior to any other ; on the 
former, as imparting not only its calcareous, but its 
mechanical use also in opening and separating the 
soil, and both of these effects are durable ; on the 
latter description of soil, it is of equally good effect, 
though in a contrary manner, as it binds this soil, 
and gives it that degree of firmness and consistency, 
which stiff clays possess in too great an extreme. 

This 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 241 

This manure is not sufficiently used here, though 
in many places in the interior they possess it in 
great perfection. 

Limestone gravel when heaped and burned, to- 
gether with the surface sods of boggy soils that 
have been drained, becomes a very fine manure 
for destroying all aquatic herbage, and is also an 
excellent preparation for a turnip crop, before the 
land is laid down in meadow : this, however, 
should previously to the last crop, or to that in 
whicfr the grass seeds are sown, have another dress- 
ing of the gravel in its purity unmixed, which will 
give weight and strength to the soil ; in this case, 
rye or ray grass, or clover, have been profitable 
crops ; the rye grass should be sown in winter* 
and will ensure a very early crop of hay, and we 
may reasonably calculate on the seeds, which will 
be threshed from it, full three pounds per acre, 
exclusive of the value of the hay. 

A material benefit in the manure of limestone 
gravel on ground newly laid down for sheep-walk 
is, that such land never fails to produce white 
clover naturally and abundantly. 

Before we conclude the section" of manures, it is 
necessary to remark, that by feeding cattle in the 
field, according to the usual custom, above one half 
of the manure is lost, which might be gained from 
the urine of animals only, if collected in proper 
R reservoirs, 



242 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

reservoirs, and mixed with suitable composts. If 
the cattle, which are necessary for the culture of a 
farm, were fed within doors, their dung would go 
a great length towards the supply of manure requi- 
site for that farm ; by this mode it should be un- 
derstood, that the best farming is by blending these 
two pursuits together, and by making the tillage 
farmer depend on his vegetable crop for a supply 
for his stock, whose dung will always keep his 
ground in perpetual heart and vigour. 

Irrigation is now known to be a ver}' powerful 
manure to meadow land ; there are numerous farms 
m this county, where it might be applied with 
success, and at a small expence ; I have seen this 
operation practised on potatoe crops in drill with 
very good effect, when the general crop of the 
kjiibiJom had failed from a long and continued 
drought. 

Though sheep will fatten very quickly on the 
aftergrass of water meadow, it is not adviseable 
to hold them over for breed, as this pasturage has 
a great tendency to rot their liver; indeed it sel- 
dom fails to produce this effect. Such sheep only, 
a*- are intended for market, should be fed on this 
grass, and be sold off as soon as in condition ; 
otherwise they gradually fall oil* and grow con- 
sumptive. 

The 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 243 

The produce of hay, yielded by irrigation, is per- 
haps incredible. I have known land which, from this 
circumstance, not otherwise intrinsically worth six- 
teen shillings per acre, made equal to ten guineas 
per acre in the Queen's County,* or which yielded 
that sum by being set out for meadow, exclusive 
of the aftergrass, and continues to do so every year 
without intermission. The proprietor could easily 
have solvent tenants for the whole tract of his water 
meadows on a long lease at seven guineas per acre. 

Marling is so little engaged in in this county, 
that I shall not enter into its merits. Lime is more 
certain, and generally more easily obtained than 
this manure. 

Aftergrass, as a manure, is not known here ; 
pasturage is too scarce at all seasons. 

Bog-stuff is excellent in a compost with lime for 
light soils, as it corrects the caustic heat of the 
lime ; it is used with great success without any mix- 
ture, in protecting the buds and leaves of potatoe 
crops from the spring frosts ; it can also be highly 
enriched by being spread in stalls under cattle, 
as it soaks up their urine and retains its salts : it is 
also a valuable manure, when applied as a surface 
dressing to meadows of a light soil, ensuring a very 

early verdure. 

R 2 Good 

* See the Statistical Survey of that County by the 
Author, pages 77 and 78, 



*44 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

Good lime-kilns are rarely seen in this county. 
It should be the care of the proprietor of an estate, 
to erect proper kilns to supply his tenantry with 
lime at first cost ; -where it can be accomplished, 
no surer means could be adopted to improve an 
estate without any expence to the proprietor. 

For an improved plan of a lime kiln, see the 
Statistical Survey of the Count)- of Cavan, page 68. 



CHAP. 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 245 



CHAP. X. 



CENERAL SUBJECTS. 

/ 

Sect. 1. Population. 

ARMAGH is indisputably, in proportion to its 
size, the most populous county in Ireland. Al- 
though much of the surface is covered with moun- 
tains, yet the greater part of the wildest country 
is very thickly inhabited, and it is on this account 
that its superior population is allowed. I doubt 
not, but in the neighbouring county of Down there 
are certain parishes, where the inhabitants and 
houses are as numerous, as will be found in the 
like area in this county, but their mountains, which 
cover so great a tract, are almost uninhabited ; a cir- 
cumstance which pretty clearly proves, what great 
capability the roughest parts of this county possess, 
as sustaining so numerous a population, 

Mr, 



nS STATISTICAL SURVEY 

Mr. BusheV* calculation of the number of inha- 
bitants of Armagh was ascertained by taking the 
population of 1705 houses, of every description, 
which were found to contain 6388 souls, or more 
than six to each house. In Dr. Beaufort's Memoir 
of his Map of Ireland it is stated, that, from the re- 
ports of the hearth-money collectors to the year 1790, 
the county contains 21983 houses, and 120,000 in- 
habitants at five and a half to a house, but this 
he supposed to be far below the truth. 

The population is at the rate of eight and one- 
fifth acres to a house, or of nearly seventy- 
eight houses, and 429 souls, to every square mile, 
which is something less than one and a half acre 
per head ; and he justly attributes the extraordi- 
nary population to the great industry of the peo- 
ple, and the flourishing state of the linen manu- 
facture. 

I believe the general report will be nearer the 
truth, if estimated at 125,000 souls. 

I have heard that the late Rev. Dr. Hamilton^ 
who was unhappily murdered during the disturb- 
ances in this country, had made some ingenious 
calculations, and took the actual population of 
*ome districts, in which the return exceeded ail 

belief. 

* See his paper on this subject, in the Transactions c; 
♦.he Royal Irish Academy, 1789. 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 247 

belief. In one parish the inhabitants were so nu- 
merous, as in the same proportion would have equal- 
led 300,000 souls in the county. 

The population and the number of houses are at 
present in progressive encrease. 



Sect. 2. Number and size of Villages and Tortus. 

In the thirteenth chapter will be found a particu- 
lar description of the several towns in the count}^ 
and the trade or manufacture for which they are 
remarkable. 

In the following table are the names of the 
several towns and villages in the county, distin- 
guishing the market, fair, and post towns, with 
the number pf days in the week on which the post 
arrives from Dublin. 

The fairs and markets are, in general, well at- 
tended by retailers of hats, stockings, shoes, cloth, 
and wool, from other counties ; and also by pedlars, 
whose stock consists *of articles of apparel, princi- 
pally of women's wear, and hard- ware. These 
itinerant dealers are always travelling from one 
market town to another ; some of them have no 
fixed residence, 



TABLE 



248 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

TABLE OF TOWNS AND VILLAGES. 



i ■■■: 

Baronies. 


Towns. 


Villages, 


Armagh. 


Armagh, M. F. P. 6. 

Blackwater Town, F. 

Chailemont joins Moy, 
which is a post town 
in the county of Ty- 
rone, F. 


Keady, F. 
Killyleagh, F. 


Fews, Upper 
and Lower. 


Market-hill, M.F. P. 6 
Newtown-Hamilton, 
F. 


Baleek, F. 

Crossmaglin. 

Cullovills, F. 

Hamilton's-bawn,F. 

Johnston's-fews. 

Mohan. 


O'Neiland, East 
and West. 


Lurgan. M. F. P. 6. 

Portadown,M.F. P 3. 
Rich-hill, M. F. P. 3 


Loughgall, F. 
Maghery, F. 


Orior, Upper 
and Lower. 


Fleury-bridge, better 
known by Jonesbo- 
rough, F. P. 6. 

Newry, M. F. P. 6. 

Tanderagee,M.F.P.6. 


Acton. 
Clare, F. 
Drumbanagher. 
Fork-hill, F. 
PoyntzVpass, F. 
Porrr orris. 
Scarva. 
Tuscan 's-pass, F. 


Turenny. 


Tynan, F. P. 3. 


Middleton, F. 



M. denotes a market ; F. a fair ; and P. a post 
town. The figure marks the number of days i/i 
the %vctk, on which the post arrives from Dublin. 



Sect, 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 249 



Sects. 3,4. Habitation, Fad, Food, and Clothing 
of the lower Rank; their general Cost; Price 
of Wages, Labour, and Provisions; and general 
View of the Rural Economy of the County. 

I have already stated, that the habitations of the 
lower order are tolerably comfortable, and by much 
exceeding any thing in this respect, that I have ever 

witnessed 

In some of the old maps, Magheralin village 
is set down within the bounds of this county, which 
is erroneous, as it is in the county of Down* 
In Seward's Topography of Ireland, there are des^ 
criptions of two villages of this name, one of which 
he states to be in Armagh, and the other in Down 
county ; however, this is only confusing the accoimi 
of one and the same village, which is situated on the 
Lagan water, in the county of Down, and is re- 
markable for a very neat church and steeple, and 
a good episcopal palace was built here, anno 1695, 
by the Bishop of Dromore. The hoimds of Armagh 
range very near to this village, which doubtless 
has occasioned this mistake. 

Some remarkable ruins have lately been traced in 
this village, 



s$o STATISTICAL SURVEY 

witnessed among the peasantry of Ireland, nor is 
it solely to be attributed to their attention to the 
linen manufacture ; their neighbours, of the same 
order and trade in Cavan and Monaghau counties, 
are far behind them in wealth and comforts, or, 
indeed, in civilization. The county supplies a suf- 
ficiency of fuel for its culinary consumption, but 
the distribution of this necessary article is very 
unequal ; this is a general complaint, but the na- 
vigation, which extends along the whole line of the 
county, serves very considerably to redress this 
grievance. 

A supply of coal might be had for the whole 
county, if the collieries of Tyrone were properly 
worked ; in fact there are means of remedying 
tins want of fuel, if they were only brought into 
fair trial. 

The general rent of a cottage, with a garden 
for the potatoe and flax plots, is from two to three 
guineas per annum. In towns, where they hold 
but a small cabbage garden in the rere, the rent 
averages about forty shillings. 

They pay for turf annually about three guineas, 
or two shillings per horse load, but in scarce seasons 
it will double this cost. Turf bogs are, in general, 
very much exhausted. For house, garden, potatoe 
and flax land, with grass for a cow, the weaver 
pays from five to six guineas per annum, and 

receives, 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 251 

receives, with diet, six pence half-pen hy per day 
through the year, for his work in the field or at 
the loom, or one shilling without diet. 

The rent of a cow's orass has been more than 

o 

doubled within these five or six years, and the. 

pasture in general very poor: potatoe and flax 

land averages six guineas per acre. 

The expence of building a comfortable cottage 

will amount to about seven guineas, viz. : 

<£. s. d. 
Mud-work and plastering, - - 3 8 3 

Roofing, 1 14 lj 

Thatching and straw, - - - 2 5 6 
Door, and leaded windows, - OH 4J 



£n 19 3 



Some cottages are put together at the cost of from 
three pounds to five pounds, but are of very inferior 
materials. 

A rood of ground is generally allotted to each 



cottage. 



The food of the lower rank are potatoes, stir- 
about, oaten bread, garden vegetables, bacon in 
summer, and beef in winter : there is no part of 
Ireland, where the peasantry consume so much flesh- 
meat. 

Average 



i 5 2 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

Average prices, for the last seven years, of the fol- 
lowing articles of provisions, excluding the two 
years of scarcity: 

s. d. 
Potatoes per stone, of 14#. ---02 
Oatmeal per cwt. of 112/6. - - - 9 
Beef, per lb. ------- - 04 

Ale, per quart, O 2J 

Cheese, per lb. - - - - - - - 9 

New milk, per quart, -----01} 

Butter milk, per pottle, ----- OJ 

Herrings, per hundred, of six score, -46 

The clothing consists of strong cloth, much of 
-which is manufactured at home, and they dye it 
a good blue ; this cloth is never exposed for sale, 
but always made for home use. It is not so fine 
as forest cloth, but wears much better, and does 
not stand the consumer in half the price of the 
latter ; this clothing is more commonly worn by 
the wealthy farmer or manufacturer ; the lower class 
purchase frize at two shillings and six pence or 
three shillings per yard, which is retailed at fairs, 
markets, and country shops, and is chiefly manu- 
factured in Connaught. 



General 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 253 



General cost of clothing. 









£. 


s. 


d. 


Frize coat, 


waistcoat, breeches, 1 


trim- 








ming, and making, - 


- 


1 


10 





Outside coat of ditto, 


- 


1 








Shirt, 


- 


- 





4 





Shoes, 


.. 


- 





6 


6 


Brogues, 


- 


- 





5 





Stockings, 


- 


- 





2 


6 


Hat, - 


• 


- 





3 


3 



General cost of man's dress, including great coat, 
about three guineas, 

Womens' wear, of cotton, will amount to about 
3/., with cloak, petticoat, shoes, stockings, &c. If 
drugget is substituted for cotton, the cost will be 
about one-third less, and the article more durable. In 
general, the women are better clad than the men, 
and make a gayer appearance on holidays. Their 
earnings are generally spent on finery, as the man's 
labour procures them provisions. 

The price of labour, for constant work in the 
field, or of cottiers wages, who are employed by the 
gentry in their demesnes, varies from ten-pence to 
thirteen-pence per day the year round ; but they 
pay their employers three guineas per annum for a 

house, 



\ 

254 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

house, cow's grass, and garden of half an acre, 
which they hold at will. Labourers, who have not 
cottages, or cow's grass, receive better wages, about 
two-pence more per day. There are few of this 
description who do not reside in towns, and, as la- 
bour is in demand, they exact high wages. Weavers 
are generally paid for their day's work one shilling ; 
but, when there is a brisk demand, and large orders 
out for linens, they can average 2s. 6d. per day at 
task work. Those weavers, who sell their own webs 
at market, and rear their flax, will oftentimes make 
five shillings a day of their labour, when the demand 
is brisk. 

It may be always concluded, that the linen trade 
is flourishing when labour is high. 

The male servant of the farmer or manufacturer 
will receive about six guineas per annum, with board 
and lodging ; the woman about 3/. The general 
employment of the women is spinning. 

Hours of labour in summer, from six in the morn- 
ing to seven in the evening ; two hours allowed for 
meals. In winter during day-light, and one hour 
only allow r ed for meals. 



Reaping, 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 255 

r. d. 

Reaping, j^ diet > ' " l l P* da ^ 
r 5? I Without, - - 1 7^ 

Mowing, J With diet, - . 1 i 

& I Without, - - l 7§- 1 

Turf- f With diet, - - 1 l 

cutting, t Without, - - l 7| 

Threshing, J With diet, . - 0* 

5 ' t Without, - - 1 1 

These works are often ensealed in bv task ; but 
seldom more money is earned, except in the vicinity 
of towns, where perhaps a third more is paid for 
labour ; all the weavers are expert at the general 
business of the field. 

Women's wages are about sixpence per day for 
day's work ; children's from threepence to sixpence. 
But, at some branches of the linen manufacture, if 
they had constant employment, they could earn ten- 
pence per day. 

Average clothing of a man, per ann. 3 guineas. 

i ■—- of a woman, - - 2 guineas. 

of a child, - -15 shillings. 

The wages having been stated, I shall state the 
average value of labour to the employer, or to the 
cottager, if he works on his own account. 

Of a man, per annum, 25/. 
Of a woman, - - 12/. 
Of a child, - - ll 

The 



2sG STATISTICAL SURVEY 

The average value of diet cannot be rated at less 
than 12/. per man, 9/. per woman, and 4/. per child, 
per annum. For fuel, soap, candles, and house rent, 
the average ma}- be six guineas. 



Cr. £. s. d. 
Man's labour, 25 o o 
Woman's, - 12 o o 
Child's, .700 



.£•44 o o 



Br. 


£- 


j. 


d. 


Man's diet, - - 


12 








Woman's, - - 


9 








Child's, - - - 


4 








House-rent, fuel, soap, 






and candles, - 


6 


16 


6 


Man's clothing, - 


3 


8 


3 


Woman's, - - 


2 


5 


6 


Child's, - - - 





15 






£38 5 3 
Balance, - 5 14 9 



£.44 o o 



The balance is 5l.\4:S.9d.y which an industrious 
family will soon encrease to a sufficiency for stock- 
ing a small farm, or setting up looms for journey- 
men. There are no wages in husbandry, where so 
much money can be saved. 



Sect* 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 257 



Sect. 5. State of Tithe ; its general amount on 
each article ; what articles are exempt, and what 
charged by ?nodus, 

s. d. 

Average tithe of Wheat, per acre, 8 O 

Oats, - - - - 4 6 

Barley, ----60 

Meadow, - - - 2 6 

And in some places a modus of one shilling for the 
quantum on the farm. 

Potatoes do not pay an acreable tax, but a small 
modus is claimed, though seldom insisted on, and in 
some parishes they are tithe-free. Flax pays a 
modus of one shilling for the quantity on each farm, 
be it more or less. 

In some parishes 2s. 6d. for the entire farm is sup- 
posed to be a fair composition. It must be remember- 
ed that these farms are very small, and nearly three- 
fourths generally under tillage. When there is a 
composition, there is no additional charge for small 
dues. 

The average tithe of grain, as stated above, will 
often, when the crop is valued whilst growing, be 
estimated at from two to three shillings per acre 
higher. In such cases the crops are very good. 

s SnrnU 



*5& STATISTICAL SURVEY 

Small dues do not exceed three shillings per an- 
num for all demands, exclusive of marriages, 
christenings, or burials. 



Sect. 6. Use of Beer and Spirits — whether either, 
or which is encr easing. 

From the time of the late scarcity, the use of spirits 
had greatly declined ; but, since the restrictions on 
distilling have been taken off, there is again a re- 
dundancy of spirituous liquors at a low price. How- 
ever, to the credit of the people of this county, they 
are more sober, and better civilized, than we see in 
other counties. Malt liquor is, for this reason, in 
more general estimation than in other parts. 



."Sects. 7, 8, 9. State of Roads and Bridges, of 
Navigations and Navigable Rivers, of Fisheries, 
■and of Manufactures ; or a general view of 
Political Economy, as affecting Agriculture, 
or connected with it. 

Several of the roads of this county are in good 

condition ; but the greater number are bad, many of 

them in the extremest degrees 

The 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 259 

The turnpike road from Armagh to Newry is, 
perhaps, the worst in Ireland as a public road, and is 
a disgrace to an opulent county. The turnpike road 
from Jonesborough is generally in bad repair; and 
the county road from Newry to Castleblaney is al- 
ways in most wretched order, though by far the 
greatest thoroughfare in the county. The roads in 
the baron} r of Turenny are not so rough as badly 
planned. In O'Neiland they are rough and narrow, 
with some dangerous steps. In Lower Orior they 
are tolerably good, but in Upper Orior the reverse. 
The best roads are in the barony of Armagh. The 
interior of the county has abundance of good mate- 
rials for road-making ; the boundaries are, for the 
most part, very deficient in such supplies ; but, on 
the whole, the neglect is greater than the want of 
materials. County roads are made and repaired at 
the expence of the barony, through which they pass; 
and turnpike roads from the tolls they produce, 
under the controul of directors. 

The great mistake in the roads of this county is, 
the neglect of originally making the centre of the 
road higher than the sides, which would throw off 
the water into the ditches ; nor do they seem to un- 
derstand, that winding a road through the valleys is 
as short a distance as ascending and descending the 
hills, independent of the great labour and danger at- 
tending the latter. 

s 2 „ A3 



36o STATISTICAL SURVEY 

As the tenantry on the several estates, through 
which the roads pass, are employed With their 
horses in making and repairing them, they are ge- 
nerally well paid ; and, independent of the benefit 
they receive from this improvement, their profits 
often exceed their proportion of the tax, which is 
always chearfully paid. 

Bridges are in good repair generally. It requires 
flrery intelligent overseers to inspect bridge-building, 
as masons too frequently, through interested motives > 
construct these works in such a manner, as will en- 
sure them frequent jobs. 

I have already pretty fully spoken of the naviga- 
tion of the county, in the eighth section of the first 
chapter. 

I do not learn that there is any established fishery, 
of individual property, in the county. 

The fishery of Lough Neagh, to the centre of the 
lake, is the right of the proprietor whose lands form 
the shore. 

The great rivers being on the boundaries, their 
fisheries are jointly the right of the several pro- 
prietors on their banks ; but there is no steady re- 
venue yielded from any fishery in the county. 

I shall now beg leave .to anticipate the subject of 
the fourteenth and fifteenth sections of this chapter, 
as manufactures are so connected with the political 
economy of the county, winch is now under discussion. 

A reference 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 2$i 

A reference to the manufactures of this county 
has necessarily very frequently occurred in the 
course of this work ; and it must be understood that 
this pursuit, almost entirely in the linen branch, 
occupies the attention of the people. Agriculture is 
but a secondary motive ; it is merely pursued as the 
means of supply of provisions, rather than of trade 
from which any profit may be gained. 

Land is sought, for the more easily and comfort- 
ably camming on manufacture ; and notwithstanding 
the supposed superior profle on rearing flax, the raw- 
material of their trade, I believe that the people 
would rather have nothing to do with agricultural 
pursuits, if the markets were more numerous, and 
constantly supplied with provisions. 

I know there are many wise men of opinios, 
that the management of the lands of this province 
should be entirely changed ; that manufactures 
should be confined to towns; that the lands should be 
portioned in large farms, and agriculture become, a 
business in itself; that it is a science, which requires 
an undivided attention ; and that manufactures would 
flourish better, if unconnected with the cares of hus- 
bandry ; and they argue, that there are not wanting 
precedents sufficient to prove, how successfully ma*. 
nufactures are now carried on under such regu- 
lations, 



262 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

This is a subject, which admits weighty argument 
on both sides of the question. 

Manufacture and agriculture are pursuits, which 
differ widely ; and certainly an undivided attention 
to either business ougliG naturally to ensure its 
success. 

If the sedentary business of the lojrh is so preju- 
dicial to health, and it is corrected by the labour of 
the little farm, it will cowitcrbala>*ce many objec- 
tions, which might be offered against the connexion 
of the two pursuits ; but a good garden at the rere 
of each house, which should be the case in every 
manufacturing town, would also require cultivation, 
so as to relax sufficiently from the labours of the loom. 

An important evil, which manufacturing towns 
are ever subject to, is the danger of combination 
amongst the tradesfolk ; and this nuisance has 
raised the price of the necessaries of life, and of 
labour, more than perhaps all other causes taken 
together. 

In further opposition to any change, it is asserted 
by the advocates for the present system, that it 
would be presumption to recommend any material 
alteration in a county, where the lower class of peo- 
ple are wealthy, industrious, civilized, and tolerably 
well educated, and on whom the prosperity of the 
county so much depends ; that it would be ridicu- 
lous to hazard the loss of a positive good, by adopt- 
ing 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 263 

ing a novel system, whose success must be at best 
but doubtful ; and that, until a yeomanry or 
peasantry can be shewn, who are more wealthy or 
independent under such a system as is now pro- 
posed, it is absurd to talk of superior benefits. 

It is true that there are neighbouring counties 
occupied, in like manner as Armagh, by manu- 
facturers, who also pretend to be farmers, whose 
rents are proportioned to the quality of the land in 
a more favourable ratio, and whose farms are as 
small ; yet their culture is slovenly, their fences 
naked, their dwellings miserable, and a general 
gloomy poverty prevails through a comparatively il- 
literate and uncivilized peasantry. In such places 
errors must exist, and experiments may be tried ? 
and remedies proposed, where the evil is great ; but 
in this county, where the inhabitants are on a more 
respectable footing than in any part of the province, 
there must be, of course, the less occasion for any 
material reformation. 

I do not venture to give any opinion on so im- 
portant a subject ; but I must confess, that the ex- 
traordinary comforts, so eminently enjoyed by the 
people of this county, both cf the middle and the 
lower class, was a matter of astonishment to me, who 
had been well acquainted, with the relative situation, 
of those classes in other counties in this province,, 
where their pursuits, both in and out of doors, so 

exactly 



264 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

exactly corresponded. The great difference in the 
comforts of those people could not entirely consist 
in the inferiority of their soil, comparatively with 
that of Armagh ; for they too have very good crops 
of corn, and they have fuel in abundance, and on 
much better terms than it is to be had in this county. 
It is a matter of moment to investigate this differ- 
ence, and discover its cause. 

I conceive it proceeds from two causes ; one of 
which is, that more money can be earned by the 
manufacture of fine, than of coarse linen ; Armagh 
being more engaged in fine webs, than the counties 
of Ulster which lie west of it. But the other is the 
primary and chief cause ; the people are more in- 
dustrious and sober, and their earnings are seldom 
spent in the dram-shop. 

Perhaps in the poorer counties they are a more 
hard working people, employed earlier and later 
than in Armagh, but they are not regularly so ; they 
are only industrious when pinched by poverty, when 
their wages have been squandered, and when they 
are overwhelmed with debt. In this county, a steady 
industry affords a sufficiency for the moderate comforts 
of life, and will admit of a redundancy for other pur- 
poses, without exhausting nature by extraordinary 
labour at such a sedentary business as the loom. 

Unfortunately for the lower classes of the commu- 
nity, they cannot bear prosperity; and, if the wages 

of 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 26$ 

of six days can be acquired by extraordinary exer- 
tions, or a brisker demand of the trade, in four, the 
overplus is too frequently spent in dissipation, which 
enervates the constitution, and begets a habit of idle- 
ness. In cities, where there is less simplicity of 
manners, and more vicious habits amongst the peo- 
ple, this evil is not productive of such hardships to 
its votaries ; for there the tradesman raises the price 
of wages by combination, which his employer is sure 
to profit by in a tenfold ratio, and will fcacitty en- 
courage. This tyrthen now bears heavy on the 
consumer, who has by his inactivity seemingly con- 
sented to it, or left it to the correction of the legisla- 
ture, who have been too supine in a matter of such 
moment. Indeed the evil is now so far established, 
that it would be a very difficult task to appreciate 
the value of the several handicrafts labour. To 
proportion their wages to the price of provisions is 
quite out of the question, so long as the effecting an 
artificial scarcity is practised, and the principal trade 
of provisions suffered to remain in the hands of a few 
monopolizers. If this novel system, which now 
exists, of permitting individuals to hoard and regu- 
late the prices of provisions as suits their pleasure, 
was entirely abolished, then a law might be easily 
framed to appreciate the value of wages at all times. 
Combination would be thus completely overthrown, 

and 



266 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

and each article of life would soon find its level, and 
be sold at the real value. 

To attain this wished for reformation, tradesmen 
should be prohibited to form themselves into societies. 
It is well known they subscribe weekly sums, under the 
pretence of supporting their families in sickness, or 
procuring for them decent funerals, at the joint ex- 
pence of the body or trade to which they belong ; al- 
tho' their real design is, to consult how they can best 
pillage the public by combinations for encrease of 
wages ; which when they have deJ^rmined on, they 
resist work until their unlawful demands are complied 
with; and they are subsisted, in the mean time, on 
the money, which they have previously subscribed to 
a stock purse, which in general contains a very con- 
siderable sum. 

I ask pardon for the digression ; but I wish to 
shew to the country weaver, that he has not the same 
resources for idling two days in six, as the city 
handicraft ; he must give up extraordinary labour, 
hurtful to his constitution, but he cannot fix the 
price of his labour, or procure an encrease of wages 
by combinatiou. The staple commodity of the na- 
tion is happily protected by wise laws, strictly en- 
forced, which it is out of his power to innovate ; and 
the trade is conducted by men of character, who 
would scorn to stoop to the knavish intrigues, which 
a petty corporation will not scruple privately to en- 

courage^ 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 2S7 

courage, though they may publicly protest against 
them. Thro' the favour of governments corporations 
were privileged ; it should be their concern, as it is 
their duty, to oppose combination by the most 
vigorous and active exertions. Commensurate to 
this grievance, it is incumbent on the legislature to 
enact a severe law ; the half-stifled rebellion would 
receive through it a deadly blow 1 and industry 
should be resorted to, in place of the very vicious 
dissipation which exists, and which, it is highly im> 
politic to suffer. ^ 

In returning to the subject of the manufacture of 
this county, I conceive it is not within the limits of 
this Report to trace its origin here, nor its subse- 
quent history. These facts, many of my readers 
well know, are of the most ancient date ; suffice it 
to report its present state. 

The linen manufacture is pursued here in all its 
various branches, and particular markets are esta- 
blished for the sale of each kind of goods and mate- 
rials. The weavers of the finest goods reside north- 
ward in the county, and in this district their markets 
are; and vice versa with those inhabiting the borders 
of Monaghan county. 

The various branches of the trade consist in 
cambrics, lawns, linens, diaper, damask, and 
chequers. Those weavers, Vho work at the finer 

branches, 



268 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

branches, will earn from fifteen to twenty per cent, 
more, in the same given time, than weavers of coarse 
goods, but there is oftener a stagnation in their 
trade. The coarse linen weavers have generally a 
knowledge of weaving cotton goods, and will often- 
times, when the demand is brisk, lay aside their 
linen webs, and turn to this branch ; but a regular- 
bred cotton or muslin weaver has not a knowledge 
of the linen manufacture, so that he .has not equal 
advantages with the coarse linen weaver, and much 
less with the lawn and cambrick manufacturer, 
■who always can earn better wages than any other 
weaver. 

If a weaver works his own flax, which he has 
reared from the seed, his profits will be encreased 
from three-pence to sixpence per day, according to 
the excellence of the mode of dressing which he 
adopted, on which a great deal depends. But it is 
possible that a loss may happen, if yarn is in poor 
demand, and his stock is large. 

The extent of the manufacture cannot be ascer- 
tained exactly by the return of sales made in the 
different markets, as webs from neighbouring coun- 
ties come in, and also webs from hence are sold in 
markets out of this county. 

Great capitals are employed by bleachers, who 
purchase webs, and bleach on their own account. 

Considerable 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 269 

Considerable sums are also engaged in the purchase 
of yarn, which is given out to the weaver to manu- 
facture ; or the weaving is often contracted for by 
those wealthy manufacturers, who do not work 
themselves, yet keep journeymen constantly em- 
ployed, either on their own account, with their own 
yarn, or on that of the merchants, with whom they 
contract. 

The general evil, which is felt in most parts 
of this province, and in none more particularly 
than in the districts of Armagh remote from navi- 
gation, is the great consumption and scarcity of 
fuel, which encreases with the extension of the 
linen manufacture. In many parishes there is more 
fuel consumed in these works, than by all the inha- 
bitants of the parish for culinary purposes ; nor is 
there a doubt that, if some other besides turf fuel 
is not resorted to, in a very few years the bogs 
of this county will be exhausted. 

The number of looms exceed the number of 
houses, as most houses have two or three looms, and 
frequently they are all at work, when the demand 
for linens is brisk, at which times many new looms 
are made, so that we may fairly assert that the num- 
ber of looms is encreasing : flax land being in greater 
demand and of higher value, is a proof there is 
no diminution in the trade. 

Woollen 



2 ;o STATISTICAL SURVEY 

Woollen goods are made only for home con- 
sumption, and not for sale, nor is one family in 
ten supplied with a sufficiency of their own manu- 
facture. 

In Armagh and the other towns of the county, 
are the usual small manufactories of necessaries, 
as brewing, chandling, soap-boiling, tanning, &c. 
and also numerous handicrafts, who execute their 
trades well; but there is no particular manufactory, 
if we except the Armagh side of Newry town, in 
which a respectable capital is sunk, exclusive of 
the linen business. 

The particulars of the trade of each town will 
be spoken of in the Baronial Survey, thirteenth chap- 
ter, as they occur. 

As to the encouragement to manufactures, and 
the peculiar aptness of the situation for their ex- 
tension, it is favourable, whilst the well established 
markets are so steadily attended by buyers of res- 
pectability. In the vicinity of nagivations, where 
fuel is so easily conveyed, these situations must 
have superior advantages, and, exclusive of the 
linen trade, the malting business and corn buying 
have been considerably encreased in these districts ; 
and stores have been built, which also will be men- 
tioned in their proper places. 



7'he 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 271 

The annual estimate of the linen trade of this 
county is rated at 300,000/. ; the goods of most 
repute, and of the best fabric, are of nine, ten, 
and eleven hundreds, and from thence above twentj' 
hundreds. By hundreds is meant the number of 
threads in the warp of the web, which is always 
rated at one yard in width, 



An 



2-JZ 



STATISTICAL SURVEY 



An Account of the Number and average Value of 
Packs and Boxes of Linens, which have come into 
the Linen Hall of Dublin, from the County of 
Armagh, in the following Years: 



' 








Total 












Total num- 


number 




Total value of 








berof pieces 


of piece? 


Total 


pieces in packs and 








in packs, 


in boxes, 


number 


boxes, taking coarse 


Years. 


Packs . 


Boxes. 


supposing 


supposing 


of pieces 


and fine all round, 








75 pieces 


60 pieces 


in packs 


at an average of 








in each 


in each 


and boxes 


£1. 14* iid. per 








pack. 


box. 




Statute price. 














£. s. d. 


1792 


1870 


684 


140,250 


41,040 


181,290 


309,326 1 3 


*793 


1546 


5»i 


H5'950 


34,86o 


150,810 


257,319 i 1 3 


1794 


1550 


557 


116,250 


33,420 


149,670 


*5$,374 8 9 


1795 


Ii57 


513 


86,775 


30,780 


H7,555 


200,578 4 42 


1796 


IG84 


662 


81,300 


39.720 


1 21,020 


206,490 7 6 


1797 


1042 


439 


78,150 


26,340 


104,490 


178,286 1 3 


179S 


1119 


39 6 


83,925 


23,760 


107,685 


183,737 >o 7 


1799 


923 


477 


69,225 


28,620 


97,845 


166,948 7A 


1800 


11 36 


555 


8^,200 


33,33o 


118,500 


202,190 12 6 


i8or 


1078 


479 


89,850 


28,740 


109,59c 
89,460 


186,987 18 9 


1802 


832 


45i 


62,400 


27,060 


152,641 2 6 


i 


*3>337 


5794 |i f oo<W5 


347,640 


1.347,915 


£2,299,879 19 4 


| Years 
average 


I2X2r 5 T 


&& 


90,93 4 T r T 


31,603 T 7 r 


i22,537i7 


£209,079 19 11 j 



Linen-office, May 29th, 1803. 

JAMES CORRY. 



An 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. m 



An Account of the Sums paid by the Trustees of 
the Linen and Hempen Manufactures of Ireland, 
in the following Years, by way of Bounty to en- 
courage the Cultivation of Flax in the County of 
Armagh , and the Quantities of Flax Lands in 
the said County, which in the said Years received 
the said Bounty. 



Years. 




Acres. 


Roods. 


Bounty. 










£, 


s. d. 


1786 - 


- 


266 


3 - - 


280 


18 


1787 - 


- 


495 


- - 


391 


4 S 


1788 - 


- 


428 


- - 


■ 338 


5 11 


1789 - 


- 


242 


o _ 


191 


7 10 


1790 - 


- 


254 


3 - - 


171 


19 3 


1791 - 


- 


239 


- - 


• 161 


8 6 


1792 - 


- 


389 


3 - - 


■ 222 


8 5 


1793 - 


- 


300 


2 - - 


202 


15 Q 


1794. - 


- 


156 


2 - - 


105 


11 9 


1795 - 


- 


244 


3 - ■ 


- 174 


8 3 


1796 - 


- 


1134 


- - 


. 2579 


17 O 



4151 2 £.4820 4 7 

Linen-office, May 2Sth, 1803. 

JAMES CORRY, 



Sect. 



i?4 STATISTICAL SURVEY 



Sect. io. State of Education, Schools, and 
Charitable Institutions, 

The youth of this county have the advantages 
of a better education than in most parts of Ireland ; 
this is evident from the superior civilization and 
manners of the people. A particular account of 
schools and charitable institutions will be given 
in the. .thirteenth chapter. 

Sect. II. State of Absentee and Resident 
Proprietors. 

This is fully stated in the fourth section of the 
second chapter. 

Sr.cT. 12- Circulation of Money or Paper. 

The linen trade in all its various branches is 
carried on with specie only. Rents are almost all 
paid in specie. Linen merchants pay a discount 
of from two and a half to four per cent, for gold, 
with which they purchase their webs. 

It is also understood, that all commodities, sold 
In or markets, must be paid for in specie, 

except 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 275 

except the contrary is particularly mentioned in the 
bargain. 



Sect. 13. Farming or Agricultural Societies. 

There is not one yet established in the county ; 
Colonel Sparrow, of Tanderagee, has set a liberal 
example to his neighbours, for the encouragement of 
industry, by offering to his tenantry the premiums 
stated in the fifth section of the thirteenth chapter. 



Sects. 14, 15. State of Manufactures, whether en- 
creasing ; of encouragement to them, and the pe- 
culiar aptness of the situation for their extension. 

For these particulars, see the ninth section of 
this chapter. 



Sect. 16. Of Mills of every kind. 

Mills are of two descriptions only in this county, 
those necessary for the linen, and those for the corn 
manufacture. Of the former kind, are bleach-mills 
and flax-mills ; of the latter, are oat-mills and those 
for the manufacture of flour ; oatmeal-mills are usually 
T 2 driven 



276 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

driven by water, but many of them are wind- 
mills. 

The manufacture of flour is very limited, that of 
oats considerable in the aggregate, but all corn is 
manufactured for country use and not for exporta- 
tion. It might be more easily averaged, what 
quantity of oats v the mills of this county are equal 
to manufacture, than the quantity which they actu- 
ally do, as there are none of them ever constantly 
employed'; however it is certain, that they are 
equal to supply the demand of the country. 



Sects. 17, 18, 19, 20, & 21. State of Plantations 
and Planting ; of the effects of the encouragement 
heretofore given to them by the Society, particu- 
larized in the list annexed. Of any Improve- 
ments which may occur for future encouragement, 
and particularly for the preservation of Trees 

* '•when planted. Of Nurseries within the County, 
and extent of Sales. Price of Timber, and state 
of it in the County. 

Planting has only been attended to as orna- 
mental, and is confined to demesnes, but gene- 
rally executed in such a manner, as to ensure 
both profit and beauty. Many parts of the county, 
particularly in the barony of Armagh, are highly 

decorated 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. *77 

decorated with both old and new timber : orchards 
are numerous with the small farmers, though from 
an unfortunate failure of fruit, for two or three 
successive seasons some years ago, many farm- 
ers, it is said to the number of two thousand, im- 
prudently rooted up their fruit trees, and quite 
spoiled a large district, which before was celebrated 
for the number and beauty of its orchards. 

I have already spoken very fully of the several 
species of trees, which are found in this county, 
and it is a happy reflection, that the attention of 
the gentry is much directed to the most profita- 
ble and agreeable pursuit of planting. 

The legislature have wisely held out encouragement 
to the tenantry to protect and encrease plantations, 
and it will be found no less the interest of the 
landed proprietor to join his strenuous efforts for 
the encrease of this source of national wealth, and 
tenfold more so will be his individual profit. 

Hedge-rows only are planted without success ; 
screens and clumps are so expensive, that their 
security is a matter of such importance as to ensure 
their preservation; but hedge-rows are generally 
badly protected, and left to chance. Trees planted 
as quicks, at regular distances, and stuck in the 
breast of the ditch when the enclosure is making, 
and in every respect treated in the after manage- 
ment as the thorn-quick, which should by all means 

be 



278 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

be planted with it for an after protection, will be 
found a cheap and successful mode of rearing trees ; 
the whole should be protected by a fence of dead 
thorn, till the young quicks get up strong. 

A well established nursery, where sales are con- 
siderable, has been established near Armagh, and 
has furnished a great number of trees for the many 
demesnes in the neighbourhood. Young trees are 
also sent for from a great distance. Many quicks are 
brought from Dublin, and often are greatly da- 
maged, if not quite destroyed, in the care of slo- 
venly carriers, which makes t!iem dear and expen- 
sive ; at present their prices are more than five times 
as high as they were a few years ago ; they now 
are sold in Dublin at one guinea per thousand. 

Prices of timber in the county are, on an average, 
at the following rates: 

Ash, - 3s. 6cl. per foot, 

Deal, - 2s. 6d. , 

Oak, - Ss. 6d. to 5s. 

It is more usual to sell timber by the tree, which 
is valued as to apparent contents, for different uses 
in husbandry. 

Some dealers in timber have it ready sawed for 
the purposes of various implement, for each of 
which there is a regular price. 



Timber 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. *?$ 

Timber for a car, about 20.?. Od. 

for a plough, - 6 s. Od. 

— — for a harrow, - 4s. 6cL 

for a spade, rake, or) -. .-, , , T 

fork Ldle, from J <*. 4tf. to 8i. each. 

A car will be made for three half-crowns, a plough 
for three shillings, and a harrow for two shillings ; 
a loom, when finished, is rated as worth thirty shil- 
lings. 

On the whole, this county has a better appear- 
ance of wood than the neighbouring counties, 
though perhaps possessing less forest timber; but 
the number of small and neat enclosures, together 
with the numerous orchards, furnish a view of wood, 
which is interesting and ornamental. 

If gentlemen, who were disposed to plant, would 
superintend the culture of their trees in their own 
nurseries, they would soon become skilful planters, 
and as their knowledge of the science encreased, 
so would their fondness for it. The expence of a 
nursery is small and gradual, compared with the 
bills of trees purchased from seedsmen ; besides, 
the success of those reared at home is more cer- 
tain, and, where there is a failure of a plant, it 
can be more conveniently replaced. 



Premiums 



iKo 



STATISTICAL SURVEY 



Premiums adjudged by the Dublin Society, for 
'planting in the county of Armagh, since the 
year 1786, where security has been given to pre- 
serve the same for ten years from the date of 
the grant. 



To whom. 



Richard Jackson, 

John Ogle, jun. 
Hugh M- Dowel. 



For what. 



Enclosing plan 

tations. 

ditto. 

ditto. 



<r> 




<U 


V 






u 


et 


< 


Q 


\C 


'786 


IO 


rypi 


i :. 


<■ 795 



Sects. 22, 23, & 24. Quantity of Bog ; possibi- 
lity and means of improving it; obstacles to it, 
and best means of removing them. 



My readers who are acquainted with this county 
must well know, that the quantity of bog is insuffi- 
cient for the general supply of fuel, from the cir- 
cumstance of its being unequally distributed, and 
the immensity required for the numerous bleach- 
mills. In many parts of Armagh, turf bog is of a 
more certain revenue, than the best land could 

yield, 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH, *2c 

yield, by many times over. Our attention should 
rather be to encrease than to reduce its contents, 
until another source of fuel is resorted to for the 
linen manufacture. 

In the first chapter, and sixth section, under the 
head Bog and Moor, the process of converting worn 
or cut-out bog to grass is fully described ; and this 
can be effected to great profit, and with small ex- 
pence, after it has yielded the supply of fuel. 

Of waste land, jhe small portions in Armagh are 
only to be seen in the mountains, which are gra- 
dually improving. Opening roads, building cot- 
tages, and furnishing lime at an easy rate, w r ith a 
small rent proportionable to the value of improve- 
ments made by the tenant for a certain number of 
years, would soon bring these regions into civiliza- 
tion and profit. These districts have already the 
advantage of good markets within their reach -, and, 
if only roads were opened, they would repay the 
proprietor ampty, and ensure to him a revenue, 
where there is scarcely any thing now yielded. 

Many parcels of land, which by liming would be 
made equal to twenty or thirty shillings per acre in 
a few years, do not now yield three, or, in some 
places, even one shilling per acre. Long leases, at 
a fair rent, w r ould here ensure valuable improve- 
ments. 

Sects. 



rti STATISTICAL SURVEY 



Sects. 25, 26. Habits of Industry, or want of 
Industry among the People. — The use of the 
English Language, whether general, or how far 
encreasing ? 

The people of this county cannot be charged 
with want of industry. If they are ever out of 
work, it is certainly to be attributed to the want of 
employment. No surer proof of industry is re- 
quired, when a man, who can at times earn five 
shillings a day at his trade from peculiar circum- 
stances, will work with the same diligence, when 
perhaps he cannot earn eighteen-pence a day. In- 
dustry, not idleness, is the characteristic of the peo- 
ple ; and, when trade is dull, they seek employment 
in the fields. The nature of the linen manufacture 
must always ensure an industrious race ; for so much 
w r ork can be performed by children, that they are 
more early employed in this line, than it has hitherto 
been thought worth while in agricultural pursuits. 

The English tongue has long been the general 
language of the county, and is firmly established. 



Sect, 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 283 



Sect. 27. Account of Towers, Castles, Monaste- 
rics, Ancient Buildings, or places remarkable for 
any historical event. 

In the Baronial Survey, thirteenth chapter, a par- 
ticular description of antiquities will be given, 
■where they exist, whether of Pagan origin, which 
have not yet been noticed, or erected, since the sera 
of Christianity, for military or ecclesiastical pur- 
poses, and also any remarkable traditions, which will 
apply locally. The ancient religious houses of the 
county will be treated of in the Appendix. 



Sect. 28. Churches — Resident Clergy — Glebes, and 
Glebe Houses. 

These subjects are already reported in the third 
section of the first chapter, and may be again re- 
ferred to in the thirteenth chapter occasionally. 



Sect. 



29+ STATISTICAL SURVEY 



Sect. 29. Whether the County has been actually 
surveyed; when; and whether the Survey is pub- 
lished ? 

A partial survey of Armagh fe shewn in the 
Down Survey, and so far has been found acccurate, 
and well laid down. A map of this county was pub- 
lished by J. Rocque, in 1760, which was not con- 
sidered correct. In this map are plans of Armagh 
city, and the town of Newry. 

Another map of the county, from actual survey, 
was presented to the Grand jury in the year 1778, 
by Messrs. William and Conyngham M'Crea, which 
was the labour of three years. This map, and also 
Rocque's, hang in the Grand-jury-room. M'Crea' s 
survey was made by the joint and voluntary sub- 
scription of the gentlemen of the county, whose 
names, and the respective sums contributed, are 
mentioned in the map. As there is but so precarious 
a tenure as a single manuscript for the large sums 
subscribed by the gentlemen of the county, and as 
they are sensible of the merit of the work, it is surely 
their interest to get it engraved, that being the only 
means of preserving so valuable a record. The 
new roads, made since the survey was taken, should 

be 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 285 

be first laid down, and other improvements might 
also be adopted. 



Sects. 30, 31. Weights and Measures, liquid and 
dry ; in what instances are Weights assigned for 
Measures, or vice versa? — The Weight or Measure, 
by which Grain, Flour, Potatoes, Butter, &c. 
are sold. 

Liquors are all sold by wine measure, as are all 
liquids. The sealed Irish gallon contains 217.6 
cubic inches. 

Oatmeal is sometimes sold by measure, in retail- 
ing small quantities in markets, as also are pota- 
toes ; but potatoes sometimes are sold by the sack in 
bulk, which must be against the purchaser, as doubt- 
less the seller knows the contents of his own sack. 

The corn-stone has 14 pounds avoirdupois. 
The wool-stone, 1 6 ditto. 
The feather-stone, 16 ditto. 
The flax-stone, - 14 ditto. 
The tallow-stone, 16 ditto. 

The barrel of corn varies in its number of stones 
in different parts of the county ; but, as the corn is 
always sold by the stone, it is of no account. 

The 



286 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

The barrel of Barley contains generally 16 stones. 



Wheat, 




- 20 


Potatoes, from 24 


to 


- 32 


Oats, kiln~dried, 




- 12 


, raw, 




- 14 


Malt, - 




- 12 


Bran, - 




6 



Hides and butter are sold by the hundred of 1 1 2 
pounds ; coals by the ton of eight barrels ; lime by 
the barrel of thirty-three gallons. 



Sect. 32. Of Mines within the County. 

The only mines within the county, yet dis- 
covered, are of lead, and are in the vicinity of 
Keady, a small town six miles west of Armagh. 

This mine is on the estate of the college of Dub- 
lin ; the lands are held by the Earl of Farnham ; the 
late Earl expended large sums in sinking and work- 
ing it, but made no profit of it. It is rather won- 
derful, and indeed proves the value of these mines, 
that he was not a considerable loser, as he had no 
active partner to superintend works under groand, 
which he himself never saw. Since his death, the 
present Earl has discontinued the works, which his 

father 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 2%f 

father advised him to do, until he should have an 
active partner, or a good tenant. The vein is so rich 
and abundant, it would be well worth the notice 
of the monied adventurer, and might prove of in- 
finite service to this part of the country. 



CHAP. 



*S* STATISTICAL SURVEY 



CHAP. XL 



LIVE STOCK, 



Sect. 1. Horned Cattle. 

MR. BROWNLOW, of Lurgan, has introduced 
the polled breed of cows, and a bull ; but there 
has not hitherto been any emulation amongst the 
gentry in the breed of horned cattle. 

The horned cattle of this country are light, sel- 
dom exceeding three or four hundred weight, but 
the choice is made for milk, rather than for feeding ; 
and, as the greater quantum of the milk is intended 
for the use of the family, and not for sale for dairy 
purposes, it is their business to select that strain of 
cattle, which gives the greatest quantity, without re- 
gard to any extraordinary richness in the quality of 
the milk. 

It is doubtless well ascertained, that the Leices- 
tershire and other breeds of horned cattle will fatten 

to 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 289 

to a greater size, and in less time, on the same pas- 
ture, than our native breed. It is also asserted, that 
the quality of their milk is richer than that of our 
native breed, and it is not disputed but the Irish 
cow yields more milk than the English. However, 
without venturing an opinion on this point, which is 
not generally admitted, it must be allowed, that the 
milk of the Irish cow is rich enough for the food of 
man. In this county it is only the redundancy of 
dairy produce which goes to market; and though 
the quantum from each farm is small, yet in the 
aggregate it is very considerable. 

The milch cows of this county, on an average, 
do not yield in summer more than ten quarts per 
day, and about two in winter ; for eight weeks after 
calving rather more, and for some weeks before 
springing much less. 

The stock for feeding are chosen for bulk and 
bone, rather than for neatness, as feeders make most 
profit of the weightiest cattle. 

So little ground can be spared for pasture, that 
the cow cannot yield the sufficiency of milk she 
might produce, if she was better fed. It is a com- 
mendable amusement for gentlemen to introduce a 
good breed of cattle ; but, in the present occupation 
of this county, it cannot turn out to their advantage 
for the use of the country, as they would not repay 
the high rate they should be purchased at. The 
u hardy 



29© STATISTICAL SURVEY 

hardy race of native stock are better calculated 
for the scanty pastures; it is only in demesnes 
that a sufficient supply of food can be furnished 
for weighty cattle. This subject has also been con- 
sidered in the second and third sections of the 
eighth chapter. 



Sect. 2. Horses. 

Horses are but very seldom bred in this count}-. 
Indeed the high price of land militates against por- 
tioning any of it to so precarious a purpose as brood 
mares ; they are frequently purchased, at three 
years old, from Connaught or Fermanagh dealers. 
Those most in estimation are nimble and active, 
short-legged, and firmly put together ; they are 
worked too early, oftentimes at two years old, and, 
being purchased for spring work, are dearer then 
than at other seasons. When the sowing season is 
finished, they are considered rather an incumbrance, 
and will be well sold if they bring the original pur- 
chase-money, their work repaying their maintenance. 
They are purchased, after the spring work, by 
dealers, who are residents in the neighbourhood, 
and fatted for the fairs by an unwholesome hasty 
process, and badly broke for the saddle. I have, in 
another place, reported the barbarities practised on 

this 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 291 

this noble animal, and the tricks which jockeys will 
impose on unwary buyers. 

There is not a greater proportion of horse-. ■ o til- 
lage in Armagh', than one to every ten acres for the 
uses of tillage ; but a {lumber of horses are kept for 
the saddle for the linen business, and many more in 
the speculation of a profit in their sale, which is a 
favourable trade with almost all descriptions of peo- 
ple in this county. 

The hardiest breed of horses which they have is 
the Scotch poney, which for every purpose is excel- 
lent, and very easily fed ; his cost, at fairs, from five 
pounds to seven guineas. He appears clumsy, from 
the continual roughness of his coat, and very long 
hairs ; but, on a minute examination, he is a well- 
formed animal, with great strength of sinew ; and, 
when he has been well kept, is, perhaps, stronger 
at four years old than any other horse of his weight 
or age. His colour is frequently dark iron grey, 
with large reddish spots, black, mottled dun, and 
few or none with white hairs. 

The gentry in Armagh are extremely well 
mounted ; but their best horses are not bred in the 
county, and are bought in at very high prices. 

The native Irish garron, with slender bone, and 

remarkable for speed and hardiness, are reared in 

the mountainous districts. They are mostly in use 

about Newry, and on the borders of Monaghan 

county. 

u 2 Sect, 



292 STATISTICAL SURVEY 



Sect. 3. Sheep. 

I do not learn that this has ever been a sheep 
county ; indeed, from the earliest recollection, it has 
been in nearly the like occupation as at this day. The 
sheep, which are natives, are very coarse and mis- 
shapen, and are both with and without horns ; they 
are of a light weight, and their wool is coarse, but, 
when brought down to richer pastures, the wool 
improves surprisingly. 

Sheep-feeding is not pursued by the small farmer. 
The wealthy bleacher and man of fortune stock their 
demesnes with a breed, which are reared in Con- 
naught, and yield a pretty tolerable supply for the 
markets in the neighbouring towns, after their own 
consumption. Their mutton is generally killed at 
from three to four years old, and will average 
eighteen pounds per quarter ; the small horned 
breed eleven ; those latter fat the soonest. The 
small farmer often buys a few sheep before shearing 
time, and will as quickly as possible dispose of them, 
after they have yielded the fleece. If he has a clover 
crop, he finds his account in it, and sells the sheep to 
a great profit, besides having the fleece. Average 
weight of the fleece of Connaught sheep, kept over 

and 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 293 
and shorn in this county, six pounds ; of native breed, 
five pounds. 

Sheep bought in for winter feeding, at 25l. per 
score, will sell out in spring on an average of a 
guinea profit per sheep. The profit will be greater, 
if the ewe and lamb are purchased in spring ; the 
jamb will be sold in the latter end of summer, fat, 
and the ewe is held over on aftergrass till spring, or 
sometimes sold out at Christmas. 



Sect. 4. Goats. 

The milk of this animal, whose food is never 
taken into account, is equal to one fourth of the 
cow's milk, but richer, and is very wholesome. 
They are usually confined on the tops of ditches, 
where they browse, and in a curious manner : A line 
of jack-cord is stretched rather slack, for the given 
distance of about ten yards, and confined by a stake 
or branch at either end, passing through a ring of 
iron of about an inch diameter, which is made fast 
to the goat's horn by a cord, which passes through a 
hole drilled through the horn ; by this means the 
goat cannot leave the top of the ditch, and has a 
pretty good extent to browse on. Goats are nu- 
merous, and quite at their liberty on the mountains. 

When 



294 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

When they rear the kid, she is allowed to stay with 
her dam during the day only. The morning's milk 
is for the family's use. Many of the poorest families 
are supplied with all the milk they consume by this 
most useful animal. 



Sect. 5. Hogs. 

The breed of this county is quite of the common 
kind ; but Mr. Brownlow, of Lurgan, has introduced 
a breed of pigs from Berkshire, which will doubtless 
be of the greatest service to his tenantry, and the 
county at large. This breed will fatten to from 
three hundred to four hundred weight usually, and 
are easily reared. 

The native breed are narrow, long legged, with 
sharp snouts, and are long in the sides ; indeed 
this last point is their only perfection. The Berk- 
shire boar will greatly correct their deformity. 

The Chinese breed is preferred by the gentry, 
but they are least profitable ; though they are easily 
kept, and fatten very soon, yet they are never 
weighty. The Berkshire are as prolific, and many 
times more profitable for market. 

Young pigs now average half a guinea per head ; 
they were lately so high as a guinea each. 

Pork 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 295 

Pork varies from \l. to 3l. per hundred Weight. 
Newry is the great market for the sale of pigs ; 
their price varies with that of potatoes, which are 
their constant food. 



Sect, 6. Babbits. 

There is no established warren turned to profit 
in the county, that I have heard of. Stragglers are 
picked up in the ditches by poachers, and are 
hawked through the towns ; the flesh is sold at from 
ten-pence to eighteen-pence per pair. Rabbit- 
burrows are sometimes protected by the gentry, 
but the stock soon become numerous and mis- 
chievous to an extreme, and are with difficulty 
banished. 



Sects. 7, 8. Poultry ', Pigeons. 

Where the cottages are so numerous, a great 
quantity of poultry must be reared. There is a 
srood demand for fowl of all kinds, which are sold 
at a good price. Some poultry dealers ramble 
through the country with cribs, and purchase for- 
ward barn-door fowl for Dublin market, but the 

profit 



2 9 6 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

profit cannot be much, as the demand at home is sq 
considerable. These speculators generally purchase 
their stock after the poultry have had the range of 
the stubbles. 

Large flocks of geese are bred in the mountains, 
turkeys in the interior, which are always sold to the 
gentry when pouts ; average price, from three to 
four shillings per couple ; geese, two shillings and 
eight-pence per couple ; barn-door fowl, twenty- 
pence per couple ; chickens, from eight-pence to, 
sixteen-pence per couple. Eggs are scarce, there 
is so great a demand ; they seldom sell for less than 
nine-pence per dozen. 

The wild-fowl, which are found in this county, 
have already been mentioned in the first chapter and 
eighth section ; there are no regular prices for them, 
nor are they often exposed for sale. Pigeons are 
no article of profit in the county, but rather of mis- 
chief; they furnish a supply for the gentleman's 
table, and are kept as pets only in farmers houses. 



Sect. 9. Bees. 

Although the Dublin Society have offered pre- 
miums for the preservation of bees in the winter, 

yet 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 297 

yet in this county the premium has not been sought for, 
though there is a great emulation amongst the notable 
housewives in keeping over stocks and feeding them. 
The bees are suffocated about the month of Octo- 
ber, and about three stocks in ten are preserved 
through the winter ; a hive of honey will sell for 
from ten shillings to a guinea, or more, but mead 
is not as much manufactured as formerly, indeed 
scarcely at all in any considerable quantity or for 
sale. The study and management of bees, which 
formerly engaged so much attention, is now quite 
neglected ; in the mountains they have the greatest 
number of stocks, and their hives are filled so ra- 
pidly from the sweet-scented herbage, which this 
district affords, that they frequently have two ri- 
sers or scaps under them, before the stock is taken ; 
these hives will sometimes weigh 40lb. or even 60lb. ; 
they never 'suffer more than the second swarm from 
the same stock, which they prevent by rising the 
hive. A hive of bees will sell for from fifteen to 
twenty shillings, and any quantity of them can be 
purchased about this rate. 

It has been recommended by the Dublin Society 
to remove the bees to a northern aspect in winter, 
to prevent their rambling in a gleam of sun-shine, 
after which the cold so benumbs them, that they can- 
not 



298 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

not return home and perish on the way. I have 
understood from a gentleman, who tried the expe- 
riment, that it' proved fatal to the stock, and that 
those only, who had the warmest aspect and best 
Iter, were the soonest to swarm. 



CHAP. 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 299 



CHAP. XII. 



GENERAL OBSERVATIONS, 



THIS county raises provisions sufficient for her 
supply, and has a redundancy particularly of wheat 
and oats to spare. 

A sufficiency of flax is raised in the county for 
the manufacture, but no seed is saved, which it is 
idle to say is not practicable, as it is generally sup- 
posed that from such flax fine yarn cannot be 
spun ; but in Flanders, where the finest laces are 
made, we have the best authority, that the seed 
of all their flax is indiscriminately saved. The seed, 
which might be saved from an acre of flax, would 
average \0l. value ; how great then must be the loss 
to the nation, that they import all they use ? 

There is not a sufficiency of turf fuel in the county 
for its manufactures, and culinary purposes. 

This 



3 oo STATISTICAL SURVEY 

This county has a capability of improvement to 
yield the farmer double produce by housing his 
stock, and converting his sorry pasture into green 
crop culture. 

A great saving of labour and horses' work might 
be made by altering the construction of ploughs and 
harrows, and by remedying their defects. 

The dangerous hills on the public roads might 
be cut off by changing the roads occasionally to 
the valleys, and in many parts, where the roads 
are composed of decayed argillite, they might be 
repaired with limestone, which would be lasting, 
and though more expensive for the present, on ac- 
count of the distance, would ultimately be cheaper 
as being so much the more durable material. 

The want of capital is less severely felt here than 
in any county of Ireland. The heavy discount be- 
tween bank notes and guineas is an oppressive tax 
on the linen trade. Landed proprietors make no 
profit of the specie, in which their rents are paid ; 
their agents only are the gainers. 

On the whole, the morals and manners of the 
people are superior t;o those of the other provinces of 
Ireland, and, generally speaking, they enjoy more of 
the comforts of life, and exhibit a considerable share 
ot public spirit and independence. 

PART 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 301 



PART. III. 



BARONIAL SURVEY INCLUDING THE ANTIQUITIES 
OP THE COUNTY. 



Prelim inary Observa tions. 

HAVING generally detailed the several matters 
of enquiry, in which some regard has been paid to the 
natural history, as well as to the rural and political 
oeconomy of the county, I shall, in the following 
sections, consider each barony distinctly, in Avhich 
the present state of the towns, and the ornamental 
improvements of demesnes, will be mentioned. 

Were this work now presented to the public com- 
pletely perfect, this matter might certainly have 
been better introduced under the several heads al- 
ready considered, which embrace almost every sub- 
ject of enquiry, but, as it is only offered as the 

groundwork 



502 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

groundwork or plan whereon a perfect statistical 
survey may be founded, it cannot therefore be too 
minute ; under general reports it is very difficult to 
detect error ; but, where the detail is given locally, 
there everv reader, who is acquainted with the vi- 
cinity described, can at once discover omissions, 
and rectify mistakes. It is therefore for the more 
particular reference to each barony, and the ac- 
commodation of his readers, that the author per- 
severes in that mode, which he has adopted in the 
several surveys he has already submitted to the 
public, and which plan has been approved of by 
the Dublin Society. 



Sect. I. Barony of Armagh. 

This barony is justly entitled to preeminence in 
the county, whether it be considered as to the su- 
perior quality of its soil, its greater population, or 
as being the seat of the metropolis of the county. 

The soil is limestone, and it abounds with nu- 
merous quarries of this valuable fossil ; the lands 
are in good heart, the enclosures in excellent order, 
and the fields judiciously divided in proportion to 
the size of the farms ; the hedges are of white thorn, 
the country is thickly cropped, and the whole sur- 
face 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 303 

face displays a close neighbourhood of neat and 
comfortable cottages. 

Approaching the city of Armagh from the • 
ward, or from the bounds of Monaghan coutkv, 
the prospect is enriched with a considerable qir. 
of plantation ; on the frontiers are the improvements 
of Glaslo.ug.li demesne, with: those of the Earl of 
Caledon, which extend into this county; from 
hence to the vicinit} 7 of KJiiyleagh village, as far 
as the eye can reach, the surface is beautifully un- 
dulated, and the small conical hills have their sum- 
mits crowned with clumps of forest trees, and ever- 
greens ; these new improvements are strikingly in- 
teresting to the traveller, as he approaches towards 
the interior, and convey a chearful happy appear- 
ance. 

This fine range of country, including the neat 
demesne of Elm-park, is in the possession of Robert 
Maxwell, Esq. and joins a great extent of lands, 
the property of the Rev. Henry Maxwell, and John 
Maxwell, Esq. The residence of Elm-park is low, 
and beautifully surrounded with plantations, which 
are arranged with very judicious taste. 

The village of Killyieagh consists of but one 
long street, which is very tedious, as it stands on 
a very steep hill ; the houses are well built of lime 
and stone, with a clean and neat exterior. This 
village is not remarkable for any trade, but on the 

last 



304 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

last Friday in each month a fair is held, principally 
attended by dealers in horses. 

From hence, iis we approach the city of Armagh, 
the soil, though still limestone, yet changes to a 
purple hue ; from Monaghan bounds to this vicinity 
it is of a whitish colour, more easily becomes cal- 
cined, and is of a much more calcareous quality 
than the reddish lime-stone. 

If its value in this respect is diminished, it is 
however considerably advanced in another instance, 
as it now approaches to a species of marble, and, 
the nearer we approach Armagh, this fossil appears 
of a beautiful and excellent quality, and has a 
greater variety of shade and colour ; the prevail- 
ing hue is of a reddish brown, and not unlike Egyp- 
tian marble in the dispersion of its small blots and 
patches ; the cross lines and dendrites are of a lively 
shade, and are strong] v marked. Another species 
of marble found here is of a yellow ground, and the 
dendrites are of a deep red ; a third kind is of a 
dusky brown, but takes the finest polish, and is faint- 
ly streaked with white veins, which are generally 
circular ; and a fourth species has a ruddy hue, 
streaked and spotted with both yellow and white ; 
the several kinds of this fossil, which are found in 
this county, are ranked under that description, 
which mineralogists call plum-pudding marble, from 
its resemblance to it in its patches. Many of the 

chimney- 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 305 

chimney-pieces in Armagh, and indeed for several 
miles around, are of this native marble, but few of 
them display the hand of a masterly artist. 

On the Blackwater river, which is the boundary 
of this county from that of Tyrone, stand two 
towns, which are both in this barony, viz. Charle- 
mont, and Biackwater-town. They are remarka- 
ble as to the pleasantness of their situation, but 
have no respectable trade. The former town is 
connected by the bridge with the Moy, which has 
both a post and fair, but it is situate in the county 
of Tyrone. Until the act of Union, Charlemont 
was a borough town, in the patronage of the Earl 
of Charlemont, and returned two members to par- 
liament; it is governed by a portrieve, and has 
also a military governor on the staff, with a barrack 
for three companies of foot. From this town the 
family of Caulfield take the title of Earl. 

The Blackwater river forms a very beautiful and 
grand feature along the boundary, flowing between 
spacious and fertile banks, which are partially co- 
vered with plantation. This fine water first comes 
in view near the town of Caledon, as we approach 
from Monaghan borders, and from the handsome 
bridge, which here crosses the river ; the pros- 
pect is from either side very interesting, whether 
we look to the highly improved demesne of Lord 
Caledon, which extends to the bridge, or down the 

x reiver 



3cS STATISTICAL SURVEY 

river towards Armagh, where the country is so 
fertile and ornamented with capital inclosures ; the 
whole line of road from Glaslough to Caledon is 
'Very pleasing, comprising the finest views of Glas- 
lough and Caledon demesnes. In this point of view, 
Caledon-house stands to great advantage, on a very 
elevated site, and exhibits a model of beautiful and 
modern architecture. 

All this country, which I have described, yields 
the finest wheat crops. 

The only town or village west of Armagh, and at 
about six miles distance, is Ready, where there is 
little else to recommend it, in its present state, than 
a very good church. Its natural situation is favour- 
able, having a fine stream, the river Callen ^inter- 
secting the town. On this water are numerous 
bleach-greens and mills, from hence to Armagh ; 
this appearance of wealth and commerce is very en- 
gaging, and the busy scenes on these banks are en- 
livened with many ornamental improvements. The 
bleach-greens of Messrs. Holmes are the most con- 
siderable in the district. The river Callen flows be- 
tween lofty banks, contiguous to the village of 
Keady, or rather in a deep and narrow gflen ; in 
these banks are indications of several minerals, as 
lead-ore, manganese, and ochres. 

The Karl of Farnham is proprietor of the very 
rich lead mines, which the late Earl worked exten- 
sively, 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 307 
sively, near Keady. Samples of this ore are in the 
Dublin Society's museum. 

The. country in this vicinity, towards Monaghan, 
is wild and rude, but reclaiming fast. Land, within 
these fifteen years past, has nearly doubled in. value, 
and is now set at the average rate of sixteen shil- 
lings per acre, though without limestone ; it had 
been, within the memory of the present age, almost 
all in heath and absolute waste. 

The city of Armagh stands on very high ground, 
in the midst of a finely improved and beautiful 
country. The river Callen flows at the foot of the 
hill, just below the town, on its passage to the 
Blackwater river, into which it is discharged near 
Charlemont. 

The cathedral, which is on the summit of the hill, 
has a commanding site, and is a conspicuous object 
at a considerable distance. This edifice commands 
our attention, whether we consider its antiquity, or 
its preeminence, as being the metropolitan church 
of Ireland. 

This church is said to have been originally built 
of willows, or wattles, like most of the primitive 
churches, before the use of stone and mortar build- 
ing was known ; from thence it was named Drum- 
sailech, or, the church built of willows; or Ard- 
sailech, the high place of willows : but Ware says 
this name refers to the vicinity of the town, which 
x 2 was 



3 o8 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

was crowded with willows growing on the banks of 
the river Callen.* 

Such was the state in which it was, when St. 
Patrick here fixed his see, Anno 445, and was the 
first bishop. This hill, or rising ground, being 
granted to him by Daire, a chief of the adjacent 
country, he changed the name of the place to Ard- 
magb, or the high place or plain. St. Patrick f 
founded the abbey for the regular order of Augus- 
tinian canons, Anno 457, which he dedicated to the 
apostles St. Peter and St. Paul, and which, for se- 
veral centuries, was the most celebrated school for 
theology in Christendom, and, during the middle 
ages, was not only much resorted to by the natives, 
but also by the Anglo-Saxons from Britain. There 
existed another good reason for this place having 
been chosen by St. Patrick for the founding of his 
metropolitan see ; as a royal residence is recorded 
to have stood in this neighbourhood, and also a 

famous 

* This part of the river was noted for being the spot, 
where King Nial was drowned, who was succeeded by Ma- 
lachi the first. 

f See Ware's account of the bishops of the see ; and see 
Jocelyn, the Lancashire monk, in his Life of St. Patrick, 
chap. 165. " He placed his archbishop's see in the same 
M city, designing it for the primacy, metropolis, and mis- 
" tress of all Ireland." And chap. 166; " He built the 
" metropolitan church of Ardmagh for the good of souls, 
" and for the good of that city and the whole kingdom. ,, 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 309 

famous city, the capital of Ulster, which was 
called Eamhaim, or Eamania, derived from aem- 
huhn-tie, which signifies, the potent or noble city. 
It Avas said to have been founded by a Scotch prince, 
above two centuries before Christ, and was sacked 
and burned by Caibre Liffechar, a chief of Con- 
naught, in the fourth century.* 

St. Patrick, after having remained for ten years 
in the primacy,' resigned it to St. Benignus, and 
lived, in private, to see it descend to three succes- 
sors, all of whom he nominated. He died on the 
17th of March, 492, and was buried in the county of 
Down. 

The reader who is curious to trace his successors, 
the bishops of Ardmagh, will find them recorded in 
Ware, with some curious historical annals, down to 
1673, when Michael Boyle was in that year trans- 
lated to Armagh ; and another list of the archbishops 
of this see will be found in Beatson's Political Index^ 
to the enthronement of Doctor Richard Robinson 
in 1765, who was afterwards Lord Rokeby, and 
whose munificence to the see and town of Armagh 
will record his memory to the latest posterity. His 
Lordship's successor was Doctor William New- 
come, who was succeeded by his Grace the present 

Primate, 

* Colgan says the ruins of this city were standing in his 
time; Mr. O'Connor places its building 353 years bejfore 
Christ. 



3io STATISTICAL SURVEY 

Primate, the Honorable and Reverend Doctor Wil- 
liam Stuart, who numbereth the hundred and fifth 
bishop of Armagh. 

A monastery was built here by St. Columba, 
Anno 610, which, with the town, was nearly con- 
sumed by fire, in the years 670 and 687, and was 
frequently plundered by the Danes, the inhabitants 
massacred, and the books, records, and treasures 
carried off by those freebooters, which has been an 
irreparable loss to the civil and ecclesiastical history 
and antiquities of Ireland. 

In the year 1013, the bodies of King Brian 
Boromh, and his son Murchaid, with the heads of his 
nephew Conoing, and of Prince Mothlan his ally, 
•who were slain at the battle of Clontarf, near Dub- 
lin, were removed to the cathedral of Armagh from 
the monastery of Swords, where they had been 
buried for five years. As this monarch and his fa- 
mily had been liberal benefactors to this sec, they 
were interred with great pomp. The king himself 
was buried in a stone coffin on the north side of the 
church; and Murchaid, and the heads of Conoing, 
and Prince Mothlan, on the south side. 

The archbiishopriek of Armagh was not consti- 
tuted till the year 1 142, wheii at the same time were 
the others of Dublin, Oashel, and Tuam, by Car- 
dinal Papirio, who was sent to Ireland by Pope 
Eugenuis, with the consent of the king, dukes, 

bishops* 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 311 

bishops, abbots, and states of the kingdom, to re- 
form the abuses, which had crept into the church 
discipline. 

This cathedral was often burned from intestine 
commotions, and, on being rebuilt, was always en- 
larged, particularly by Patrick Scanlan, Anno 1262, 
who was then bishop. His successor, Nicholas 
Molessa, added several valuable gifts, bestowed his 
manor of Dromiskin to the see, and charged his 
manor of Tlomonfeckin with twenty marks annually 
towards the enlargement of the edifice. 

The see of Armagh was valued in the king's, 
books, in an extent taken in the 30th of Henry VIII. 
at 183/. lis. 5^d. Irish money; but, by an extent 
returned in the 1 5th of James I., it is valued at 400/. 
per annum, and pays so much first fruits. It is 
rated to be at present worth SOOC)/. per annum. 

The dignitaries are the Dean, Chanter, Chancel- 
lor, Treasurer, and Archdeacon. Of the vicars, 
choral are two priests, one of whom was added by 
Primate Marsh, Anno 1702. In 1720, Primate 
Lindsay procured a charter to encrease the vicars 
choral to eight, and expended 4000/. in the pur- 
chase of property to encrease the estate of the choir. 
There is also an organist attending on the cathedral 
service. The choir is reputed to be superior to any * 
in Ireland, and its discipline is most particularly at-* 
tended to. 

The 



312 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

The cathedral, in its present shape, represents the 
figure of a cross ; from the point of intersection a 
square tower is raised, from which branch off, at 
right angles, the four compartments of the cathe- 
dral. The elevation of the tower is well propor- 
tioned to the height of the roof,* and would be 
complete if a steeple was raised on it, which was 
intended, when the general repair was given to the 
cathedral by Primate Robinson; but, by the ob- 
stinacy of the architect, in opposition to the opinion 
of Lord Rokeby, the walls of the old tower were 
built on, which were afterwards found not equal to 
the support of a steeple, having failed in several 
places, which occasioned the finishing of the tower 
in its present form. 

Within the aisles of the cathedral are some monu- 
ments ; amongst the best executed is that of Doctor 
Drelincourt, who was dean of this see. An exten- 
sive burial-ground surrounds the cathedral, which is 
enclosed with a very strong, though not a lofty wall ; 
and through it is made a very neat gravel walk, 
approaching the cathedral from the several en- 
trances. 

The 

* This remark may appear erroneous, if this edifice is only 
viewed from the market-place en passant, as it stands on a 
very abrupt and bold hill, and, consequently, but a small 
part comes in view from the street, at its base, but from 
without the town it is seen to great advantage. 






OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 313 

The city of Armagh is indebted to the spirited 
and munificent liberality of Primate Robinson, who 
was the founder, or rather the donor, of all the ele- 
gant public buildings, which it is so justly celebrated 
for, and of the rebuilding and planning the very ca- 
pital streets, which adorn it, and make it very supe- 
rior to all the inland towns in Ireland ; and, by the 
care of Lord Rokeby, the permanency of his en- 
dowments was secured by several acts of Parlia- 
ment obtained for that purpose. From his Grace's 
example, encouragement, and assistance, and very 
much indeed at his private expence, this most an- 
cient city has been renovated into its present style of 
modern beauty, and its police is managed by wise 
and strict regulations. 

After having given a general repair, with some 
additions of ornament, to the cathedral, Lord 
Rokeby's love of literature was displayed in found- 
ing a library, which is a very handsome public 
building, and well designed for the purpose, which 
he filled with the most scarce and valuable store of 
books, of ancient and modern literature ; having be- 
stowed on it a property, as a perpetual fund, for the 
encrease of the books, the repairs of the house, and 
the salary of a librarian, for whom are assigned a 
suite of very elegant apartments within the building. 
The revenue for this establishment is now a perpe- 
tuity, and yields 300/. per annum. 

The 



3 r 4 STATISTICAL SURVEY. 

The observatory, which stands just without the 
town, is another edifice, of very elegant appearance, 
which owes its existence to his Grace's munificence. 
This he also endowed with a perpetual fund, which, 
with the lands annexed to it, is worth 400/. per 
annum to the resident astronomer, who has fine 
apartments, and a very elegant demesne. The ob- 
servatory stands on an elevated site, and is well fur- 
nished with the most valuable and costly instru- 
ments, which this noble patron of the sciences fur- 
nished at no less expence than 3000/. 

Immediately opposite this beautiful building, and 
at the base of a hill, on which it stands, his Grace 
erected a spacious and regular edifice for the en- 
dowed school of Armagh, which was laid down on 
so large a scale, as to acquire the distinguishing ap- 
pellation of the College of Armagh, which it has 
since retained. It may be proper to remark in this 
place, that even these extensive concerns were only 
a small part of what his Lordship intended them to 
be ; his great design was, to erect a university in this 
city, which should have been on the most extensive 
scale ; and all his improvements and plans were in- 
tended as tributary to this grand scheme. It was a 
favourite object with this good primate, to encou- 
rage literature and the sciences, which this vast pro- 
ject would so amply provide for ; but it w r as neces-. 
wry to have the assistance of government in this 

respect, 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 315 

respect, though he intended, had they seconded his 
laudable views, to have dedicated his own amr>le 
fortune towards its success. Whatever were the ob- 
jections of government to this great national benefit, 
they did not immediately unite with Lord Rokeby, 
although they gave reason to expect, that the time 
was not remote when they might support it. After 
a long interval, Lord Rokeby at last despaired of 
being able to see his favourite object accomplished ; 
but, in order towards setting it afloat, he bequeathed 
by his will 5000/. for that purpose, provided the 
plan was adopted, and the first stone laid within five 
years after his decease. He conceived that, as he 
left the matter to be adopted by the wisdom of the 
legislature, which he could not have the direction of 
when in their hands, it would be a national concern, 
and Would require but small individual aid, which 
occasioned his limiting his bequest to 50001. Had 
his project been adopted when he first proposed it to 
government, he would doubtless have bestowed on 
it the principal part of his fortune, as he was often 
heard to declare. The benefit of this valuable le- 
gacy has not been embraced, and the limited time 
has elapsed, without any step having been taken ; 
of course it has reverted to the conditions of the 
will; nor is there any probabilitjr that his Lordship's 
views, for the founding of this seminary, will ever 
be adopted. The money he expended on the 

College 



3i6 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

College of Armagh amounted to full 4000/., with 
which sum, and the funds for that establishment, the 
present elegant building was raised ; and the late 
Rev. Doctor Grueber, who had long ably discharged 
the duties of principal, at this time, at an advanced 
age, resigned on a liberal compensation ; and, by 
the desire of Lord Rokeby, the Rev, Doctor Car- 
pendale, who had with great credit presided at the 
endowed school of Carrickmacross, was removed to 
this preceptorship, nor could his Grace have made 
choice of a master more eminently qualified for the 
discharge of this important trust, as the unanimous 
testimony of the gentlemen fully evince, who have 
been so fortunate as to receive their education under 
his careful superintendence. 

The origin of this establishment will be found in 
the extracts from Harris's Hibernica, which are sub- 
joined in the appendix to this work ; but the school 
was not actually endowed till the reign of Charles I., 
as appears from the statutes. 

From the earliest accounts of literature in Ireland 
it appears, that the city of Armagh was famous for 
learning ; and church discipline was studied here 
with great exactness. It is said, so eminent was the 
College of Armagh for learned divines, that, in a 
synod, held in the abbey of Clane, in the county of 
Kildare, Anno 1162, which consisted of the arch-, 
bishop of Armagh, twenty-six bishops, and numerous 

abbots, 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 317 

abbots, it was decreed, under a solemn act, that no 
student should be admitted a professor of theology 
in the national church, who had not a certificate of 
his having duly graduated in the College of Armagh. 
And, in the Monasticon Hibernicum, it is copied 
from the Annals of Innisfallen, that " Roderic 
44 O'Conchobhair, king of Connaught, Anno 1169, 
" to advance learning in this university, granted to 
u the head master an additional annual pension of 
" ten oxen, and bound his successors to fulfil the 
u said grant, on condition that a public school 
" should be there kept open for all scholars from 
u every part of Ireland and Scotland." In Sir 
James Ware's Antiquities of Ireland, he quotes, on 
the statement of Florence McCarthy, that the num- 
ber of students at one time exceeded seven thousand. 
The instances, which I have mentioned, of 
Lord Rokeby's regard for the prosperity of Ar- 
magh were gratefully felt by the inhabitants, and 
called forth their public spirit in an eminent degree. 
New streets were built, and all the offensive obsta- 
cles to improvement, for which this city had been 
almost proverbially notorious, were removed ; a 
strict observance of the police, and laws of the cor- 
poration, was enforced ; the streets paved and 
flagged ; lamps were erected, and the best houses 
were adorned with iron railing in front. An elegant 
sessions-house was built at this time, and also a very 

handsome 



3 i8 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

handsome edifice for public assemblies, the profits of 
which were to be applied to charitable purposes. In 
this latter building the ball-room is sixty feet by 
thirty, with card and supper rooms on a~large scale, 
and the kitchens and servants' apartments are suit- 
ably laid out. This building is not yet completed; 
I understand it has remained these some years past 
in its present state. 

Lord Rokeby's purse was always ready to contri- 
bute to these laudable improvements, which were 
carried on under his sole direction, and proved his 
correct taste and judgment for all public works. 

A very complete shambles, which are well en- 
closed, and elegantly constructed, were erected by 
him, and at his sole expence ; and he set on foot 
the important work of supplying the town with 
pipe-water, which was not completed till after his 
death. 

Lord Viscount Cremorne, who has a very fine 
property in this vicinity, handed over to the corpo- 
ration the sum of 1000/. for the forwarding of 
this public work, which was by subscription lately 
completed. Pumps, at proper distances, are erected 
through the streets for public use. 

The barracks are of modern date, and are a very 
handsome building, well designed, covering an ex- 
tensive area, which is well enclosed, and stands on a 

fine 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 319 

fine open eminence, fully commanding the county 
gaol, which is contiguous. 

The gaol is also a modern and complete building, 
standing on a plain, with every advantage of good 
air, and proper accommodations for the prisoners ; 
it is admirably planned,, as to strength and security. 

I must here remark that, in every, approach to 
this capital town, the grand appearance of public 
buildings, and the numerous improved demesnes 
in the environs, convey to the stranger the most res- 
pectable ideas of this district, which are by no means 
lessened as he enters the city, the streets being 
principally rebuilt on a regular elevation, and the 
houses neatly slated, almost all of them having mar- 
ble window stools, door cases, and parapets or eve 
courses. Indeed, in point of convenience of build- 
ing materials, Armagh is very happily circumstanc- 
ed, and is remarkably well situated, contiguous to 
the ports of Newry and Dundalk, for such neces- 
saries of supply, which we cannot command at 
home. 

The market place is triangular, and is on the 
declivity of the hill, on which the cathedral stands ; 
at the base, are the ruins of a market house, which 
was begun by Primate Bolton, but I do not learn 
that it w r as ever completely finished. The best front 
faced the cathedral, and between these two build- 



320 



STATISTICAL SURVEY 



ings is the antique mutilated market-cross, of which 
an engraving is annexed. 




ft 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 321 

It appears that the top of the cross has been da- 
maged ; the symbolic subject is Christ's crucifixion 
between the thieves in old basso-rilievo ; the others 
are so much obliterated, that I leave their solution 
to more expert antiquarians ; they appear rather a 
kind of rude ornamental fret-work, than any distinct 
characters. 

The trade of Armagh is principally engaged in 
the linen manufacture, the market for which is 
held on Tuesdays, and it is averaged that 7000/. 
are weekly expended for webs in this market. 

In so extensive and well appointed a town, it is 
unnecessary to mention that every necessary and 
useful branch of manufacture, the woollen trade 
only excepted, is more or less engaged in, suffici- 
ent for the supply of its inhabitants and the coun- 
try around ; but though severally respectable, they 
are not of any particular note, nor have extensive 
capitals engaged in them. 

The present primate intends to present the town 
with an elegant market-house at his own expence, 
and as, in point of situation, the county court-house 
is deemed very inconvenient, and an estimate of a 
new and grand edifice, to the amount of 6000/. 
for this purpose, is now before the grand jury, 
his Grace intends the site of the present building 
for that of the market-house, which is certainly the 
y best 



$U STATISTICAL SURVEY 

best place it could be erected on, from its central 
. situation and contiguity to the market-place ; the 
ruins of the present market-house are indeed a dis- 
grace to the town, and ill correspond with any 
of its public buildings. His Grace also intends to 
promote, as much as possible, the sale of wheat in 
this market, which it is strangely deficient in, as 
the principal part of this grain, which is raised in 
the vicinity, is sold in Portadown market. 

A very fine mall, or terrace, has been lately 
enclosed with a dwarf wall, dyke, and iron gates, 
within which is a neat gravel walk, encompassing 
a lawn, for the enclosing of which Lord Roke- 
by procured an act of parliament, and it is but 
lately finished. Tin's work was completed by sub- 
scription, which will be returned, as the rent pro- 
duced from the lawn in some years will repay both 
principal and interest, after which the property of 
the land is vested in the sovereign and corpora- 
tion of Armagh, by which the town is governed ; 
it is but justice to this body to remark, that by 
their attention the police of this city is well re- 
gulated, nor is the eye disgusted, nor the passen- 
ger annoyed with any of those nuisances, which too 
frequently disgrace main* of the most respectable 
towns in Ireland. 

Having faintly traced the princely munificence, 
-.- splendid liberality, and elegant taste of Lord 

Rokeby 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 323 

llokeby in the city, we see in the adjoining de- 
mesne of the primate a most magnificent palace, 
which he built for the residence of the archbishops 
of this see, and on this site he erected a very grand 
chapel for the use of the primate's family, suitable 
to so princely a residence. 

His Lordship also ornamented and planted the. 
demesne in the highest modern style, which the 
present primate has now occupied with the most 
improved systems of husbandry ; indeed his Grace's 
farm-yard implements of husbandry, and mode of 
culture, afford a bright example to the gentry, 
of what their valuable demesnes could yield under 
judicious management. 

In the primate's demesne a very elegant obelisk 
was erected by Lord Rokeby, in compliment to the 
late Duke of Northumberland, his Lordship's friend 
and patron, on which is engraved a suitable inscrip- 
tion : this pillar is very ornamental, and cost above 
1000/. 

In the unlimited extension of Lord Rokeby's 
views, which were suitable to his generosity, his 
Grace had contemplated the pulling down the pre- 
sent cathedral*, and erecting a very fine one at his 
y 2 own 

* His Grace the present primate intends to build a 
chapel of ease to the cathedral in the vicinity of Armagh, 

contiguous 



3*4 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

own oxpence, when the old work of the tower 
proved too decayed to support a steeple and belfry, 
and, had he lived, he would doubtless have, accom- 
plished it. If an}- public work had not a fund suffi- 
cient for its completion, after a subscription had been 
taken, to which his Lordship was always a liberal 
donor, lie lent the remainder of the required sum, 
for which he would never receive anv interest. 

There is scarcely a precedent of such a magni- 
ficent fortune having been expended, during the 
life of the proprietor, on the improvement of his 
own estate for the benefit of his heirs ; how emi- 
nently luminous then was the generous spirit of 
Lord Rokebv, who bestowed all these advantages 
and solid gifts to the public, fiom which his family 
could never derive any revenue ? I do not pre- 
sume to say, that a life of celibacy should be one of 
the necessary qualifications for a public employment 
of great emolument ; for without a liberal spirit it 
•will avail but little ; but happy it is for the nation, 
when such trusts are honored in the care of so res- 
plendent a generosity and correct taste, as the late 
Lord Rokebv possessed, and it is fortunate for the. 
public, that those eminent virtues were not restrained 

in 

contiguous to the barracks and school, which is very requi- 
site, as the cathcdial is quite too small for the large and 
♦ ;r easing conarroat'on of this ci^y. 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 325 

in his Lordship by a matrimonial connection*. Had 
his Grace a wife or children, such a distribution of 
his fortune would have been an unjust and unwar- 
rantable sacrifice, 

The virtues of this great man are too well re- 
corded to require panegyric. My readers will 
doubtless expect to learn, that, a kind acknow- 
ledgment of his eminent qualifications and liberality 
has been paid in the erection of a splendid monu- 
ment to his memoiy, and in these pages to see 
copied an epitaph suitable to his love of litera- 
ture, displaying the grateful feelings of a nation 
for the general good they derive from his liberality ; 
of the opulent city of Armagh for the local benefits 
she enjoys from his bounty ; or of his Lordship's suc- 
cessors, to v, horn he bequeathed such an ample for- 
tune ; but sorry I am to say, that no such affection- 
ate memorial is in existence. 

Although Lord Rokeby's virtues will not be for- 
gotten, when the frail monuments of human inge- 
nuity have mouldered into dust, yet so long as 
this dutiful tribute, this j,ust debt is unpaid, the 
strong contrast of his Grace's liberality will add 

shame 

* That his Grace was not an advocate for a life of celi- 
bacy is certain, but a disappointment in an attachment had 
in early life fixed his resolution cf remaining singly 



326 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

shame to the reproach, and confirm this disgrace 
either in a particular or in a general view. 

Respecting this ancient see of Armagh, it is in- 
deed a matter of surprize there are no public re- 
cords. A few books or papers were purchased or 
procured from his friends by Lord Rokeby, which 
he bequeathed in such a manner, that they are not 
easily accessible, being left to the governors of the 
library in trust, the archbishop for the time being 
having power to take away any of them, provided 
he gives a receipt binding upon him and his exe- 
cutors; and in his will he adds these remarkable 
words : " My intention is, that the librarian, and 
u the governors of the library , shall be excluded from 
ii the examination of these manuscripts, and that 
<c the trust shall extend no further than to the means 
iC of their preservation" 

The antiquarian must therefore arrest his curio- 
sity ; it would be highly improper, if not imperti- 
nent, to wish to make public their contents, when 
a man of such superior understanding had reason 
to confide them to but one person in existence, and 
which doubtless he had every right to dispose of as 
he thought proper, they having having been his 
private property. As the cause of this extraordi- 
nary concealment cannot be explained, it would 
be unjust, and ungenerous in the extreme to the 
memory of his Grace, were we to impute it to any 

illiberal 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 327 

illiberal motive, as to so base a principle his whole 
conduct through life was a direct contradiction. 

The city of Armagh sent two members to par- 
liament before the union, it now returns but one ; 
the primate has the patronage of the borough. 

The county infirmary is within the town, and 
is very punctually attended to ; besides the regular 
county charge, it is maintained by very liberal sub- 
scriptions and some annual bequests. 

A charter school was founded in Armagh anno 
J 758, to which the primate and corporation of 
Armagh gave twenty acres of land for ever, rent 
free, for the site and accommodation of the house. 
The first endowment of this charity was a gift of 
40/. per annum, being a rent charge from Mrs. 
Drelincourt, widow of the dean of the see; it is 
now a noble institution, and the most extensive of 
any of the kind in Ireland. 

In the vicinity of Armagh are the neat demesnes 
of New Holland, the seat of Mr. Holmes; Anne- 
ville, of Mr. David Bleakly ; Rosebrook, of Mr, 
M'Cartnej^ ; Tullamore, of Mr. John Hickey ; Nap- 
pa, of Mr. Johnston ; and Elm-Park, where the 
Kev. Mr, 'Close resides, the rector of the parish of 
Keady. 

Mr. Joshua M'Gough, Mr. Scott, Mr. Simpson* 
Mr. Graham, and Mr. William Hardy, have also 



small demesnes in this neighbourhood. 



Sect* 



328 STATISTICAL SURVEY 



Sect. 2. Barony of Turcnny. 

Tins barony is but a narrow oblong strip, on 
the western quarter, which has very little to recom- 
mend it to particular notice ; the culture is that 
already described common to the county, the soil 
is rich, and the farms are tolerably well divided. 
The southern extremity of this barony is mountain- 
ous and wild ; from Armagh towards Tynan, a 
small town in this barony, there is a good limestone 
soil. 

This town, which is situated on an eminence, is 
inconsiderable as to the number or neatness of its 
houses, but it has an excellent church with a hand- 
some steeple ; without the churchyard is a relick 
of antiquity, an oblong stone of about eighteen 
inches square and four feet long, set up on a large 
block stone, and capped with another, which is 
square, having its faces concaved, and this crowned 
with a smaller stone. 

I could not discover any characters on this re- 
lick ; the oblong stone is divided into square com- 
partments, and had the vestige of some sculpture, 
probably a cross had formerly crowned it ; it is how- 
ever certain, that it has been mutilated. 

The 



Or THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 329 

The ruins of an antique castle are situate about 
one mile from this town. In this vicinity, are the 
neat improvements of Bally nametagh, the seat of 
Mr. Burgess ; of Fairview, Captain Waring ; of 
Mount Irvine, Mr. Irvine ; and also the very elegant 
demesne of the Rev. Mr. Quin, the rector of the pa- 
rish of Tynan. 

The country from Tynan to Keady is now great- 
ly improved, though but a f^w years ago the 
greater part of it near Keady was an actual heath. 
In the vicinity of Tynan in this direction, for three 
miles, the farms are divided and well fenced, and 
the farm-houses comfortable with numerous orchards ; 
but, approaching into the Fews, it is bleak and worse 
cultivated ; the lands are however in a progressive 
state of amendment ; liming has been steadily gain- 
ing repute, and revigorates the soil surprisingly ; 
this valuable manure is not to be found immediately 
in this part of the district. 

On the road from Tynan to Keady, is the neat 
church of Madden, and the elegant parsonage of the 
rector, Mr. Staples. 

The village of Middleton is much larger than 
Tynan, though of but a wretched appearance. The 
property in this town and thirteen town-lands were 
bequeathed by bishop Sterne, who had been tran- 
slated from the see of Dromore to that of Clogher, 
and the income was appropriated for charitable pur- 
poses, 



33o STATISTICAL SURVEY 

poses, of which the Lord Primate, the bishop of 
Clogher, and the rector of Tynan, are governors 
all for the time being.* In this populous village is 
but one slated house ; but just beyond the lake, 
which flows up to the village, a neat church, and 
a most excellent parsonage, have been lately built, 
where the Rev. Mr. Mee resides. This district is 
well supplied with turf fuel, and the chain of lakes, 
which bound the county here, flow into Glaslousrh 
lake, in the county of Monaghan. 

In this neighbourhood, are some plantations made 
by Mr. Cross, and Mr. Evans, on their farms. 

The lands on one side of Middleton are low, flat, 
and marshy ; those on the other are hilly, and to- 
lerably good, I suppose the whole district from 
Tj nan to Keady and thence to Middleton, with a 
pretty extensive tract of country towards the Fews 
mountains, thence to Glaslough borders, would ave- 
rage about 165. the statute acre, but this district, 
excepting the absolute mountains, is the least va- 
le part of the county of Armagh. 

Sect, 



* The author could not learn the particulars of the cha- 
rity, as the act of parliament, under which it was established, 
was a private act, and was never printed ; it may perhaps 
lie obtained against the next edition of this work. 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 331 



Sect. 3. Baronies of Upper and Lower Ferns. 

This district lies immediately south of the city 
of Armagh, and is approached from thence through 
the village of HamiltonVbawn, the road to which 
is hilly and gradually ascending ; about mid- way 
is the small lake or bason, from which the town 
©f Armagh is supplied with pipe-water, and, though 
apparently low in point of situation, yet it actually 
ranges with the top of the tower of the cathedral. 

Near this lake, a search was made some years 
ago for minerals by a gentleman, who was very 
sanguine in his hopes of success ; some lead ore was 
found, and presently after the miners came on a 
coal smut, a good deal of which they raised, but 
no vein of coals was discovered ; this stuff now 
lies near the road side, and would be excellent for 
repairing the road, which here so materially requires 
it; this gentleman expended a considerable sum of 
money in his speculations, but has not yet reaped 
any success. 

HamiltonVbawn is a good sized and well built 
village, about three miles from Armagh ; on the hill 
above the town are the ruins of a castle, which ap- 
pear of great antiquity, and to the eye of an ob- 
server 



332 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

server it must seem almost incredible, that this mu- 
tilated and decayed building was, but a few years 
ago, an established and regularly garrisoned bar- 
rack. 

From hence to Market-hill the road is also very 
bad, and the country, though entirely cultivated 
and populous, is yet very inferior to the lands 
north of Armagh, which have a fine lime-stone, 
but in this direction there is not a particle of it. 

Market-hill is a thriving town, the property of 
Lord Viscount Gosford ; a neat sessions-house and 
several other good houses have been lately built ; 
this town is the principal stage between Armagh 
and Newry, and here is a good inn. 

Lord Gosford's family mansion of Gosford-castle 
just adjoins the town ; the improvements are rather 
in the old style, but the demesne is in good order, 
enclosed with a strong wall, and a full grown screen, 
in which is some very fine timber. Near this town 
is Draper's-hill, which Dean Swift gave name to 
and celebrated in his writings ; he also mentions 
HamiltonVbawn in his letters. 

From Market-hill to Netvry, by Portnorris, the 
country ia good, but very bleak ; the turnpike road is 
a disgrace to the county, and, approaching towards 
Newry, the soil becomes poor and barren. 

The county roads in the vicinity of Sir Walter 
oynnotr/s, and Mr. Heed's, of Ballymoier, are in 

good 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 333 

good repair, and these gentlemen's improvements 
have quite altered the face of this country. 

In this vicinity the soil is good, and very im- 
proveable with lime ; the large haggards shew more 
extensive farming, and, of course, there is less of 
manufacture. The principal grain raised is oats ; 
more cattle are grazed here, than in other parts of 
the county ; however the main pursuit is tillage ra- 
ther than pasturage. 

Of the soil and nature of the Fews mountains 
I have already spoken in the sixth section of the 
first chapter, under the head of mountains, and the 
principal management here is the rearing of young 
cattle. In this district Newtown-Hamilton is situ- 
ated, between the towns of Newry and Castleblaney, 
and is a wretched stage. There yet exist, about 
three or four miles from this village, the ruins of a 
barrack at a sorry village called Johnston's-fews, 
which was erected to awe the bands of robbers, who 
infested this country above a century past; and at 
this place, there is a tradition, that a famous battle 
was fought between one of the chieftains of Louth, 
and O'Neil, a chief of Ulster, who was slain here 
with many of his people ; some antiquarians have 
mentioned, that this chieftain was also called Black- 
beard, and some liberties were taken with him, at 
a feast given on this spot, by the Louth chieftain, 
who attempted to singe his beard, which was the 

grounds 



334 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

grounds of the quarrel that was immediately decided 
with the loss of so many lives. 

Near to this place are yet to be seen the lines 
of circumvallation of an encampment, above a mile 
and a half in circumference, where it is said the 
Irish army had hemmed in a large detachment of 
Cromwell's forces, and besieged them during- an 
entire winter. This noted place is called Clogh-a- 
meathcr. The ruins of Black-bank castle are now 
standing about two miles from Newtown-Hamilton. 
A charter-school was established in the parish of 
Creggan in this baron)*; for particulars of which, 
see chapter l, section 4, ecclesiastical division, 
Creo-fran. 

The mean village of Baleek lies about mid-way 
between Newtown-Hamilton and Newry, and near 
to it is some indication of a slate quarry. 

The whole line from Newry to Castieblaney is a 
great thoroughfare, on which is brought the whole 
trade of Cavan and Monaghan counties for the 
Newry market, but it is always in the most wretched 
state ; the distance between these towns is but se- 
venteen miles, and, though so short is the distance, 
it is yet a good journey to accomplish it in one 
day ; the traveller must not only risque the failure 
of the best appointed chaise and horses, but must 
also run no small danger of having his bones broken 
be attempt. 

The 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 335 

The demesnes in these baronies, which have not 
been before mentioned, are, Hockley, the seat of 
Mr. Shields ; Cullaville, of Mr. O'Callaghan ; Cross- 
maglin, of Mr. Ball; Carritt, of Mr. M c Can ; Eliza- 
hill, of Mr. John Grier ; Derrycheehan, of Mr. 
Andrew Trew ; and Coronare, of Mr. Robert Ha- 
milton. 

The small village of Mohan is on the northern 
bounds of this barony ; those of Cullaville and 
Crossmaglin on the southern bounds, near Car- 
rickmacross ; near the latter of these two villages 
is a small Jake of the same name. 



Sect. 4. Baronies of East and West O'Neiland. 

The extent of this district includes almost the 
ejitire of the northern part of the county, and ap- 
proaches to within a very small distance of the 
city of Armagh. The more distant part has little 
or no limestone, but the nearer has a fine soil of 
this quality. There can scarcely be said to be 
any indifferent land in the whole district, and the 
greater part is a fine country, which cannot be ex- 
celled in Ireland for the purposes either of pasturage 
or tillage. 

The soil of the northern division is rich, deep, 
and loamy ; though not limestone, yet it is not 

wholly 



536 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

wholly without this fossil, as on the manor of Brown- 
low-derry, the estate of William Brownlow, Esq. 
there is a limestone quarry, which however no 
advantage is derived from, on account of its situ- 
ation in low ground, which is generally overflowed, 
and has a very great hearing of bank to be re- 
moved on the surface, before the quarry can be 
touched. The surface here is more inclined to be 
flat than hilly, and is rather, in this instance, a com- 
plete contrast to all other parts of Ulster, which I 
have seen ; it is watered 03- several streams, which 
fall into Lough-Neagh. A review of the manor 
of Brownlow-derry will give a pretty clear idea of 
their management in this division. 

This manor, which is the estate of William Brown- 
low, Esq. is all leased in so small divisions, as to 
average less than five acres, and a great number 
so low as three ; all the farms arc leased for three 
lives; excepting in the town of Lurgan, there is 
not a perpetuity on the whole. 

The fields are well proportioned in size to the 
small plot of each farmer, and are neatly inclosed 
with quickset wlute-thorn fences. 

Lime is the principal manure, and this process 
is well performed, though expensive, as the carri- 
age is distant and tedious; grass land is always 
broken up with a potatoe crop, and generally the 
surface is limed two years before ploughing ; flax 

and 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 337 

and oats in succession ; barley is taken after a 
potatoe fallow, with a. light sprinkling of manure ; 
the land is then left in pasture, in the furrows left 
by the plough. The soil is throughout this divi- 
sion favourable to wheat, and the culture of this 
grain is very much encouraged, but they never fal- 
low for wheat here, though within a mile or two of 
this district, in the counties of Down and An- 
trim, I have seen wheat fallows, but I understand 
it is rarely done so; great crops of this grain 
are raised through all this country mostly after po- 
tatoes, and the seed is trenched iu. The propor- 
tion of tillage to pasture is full as four to five; 
little else but bottom meadow; they prepare 
the soil for wheat crops with great attention, and 
pickle their seed with lime, salt, and chamber-lie ; 
they generally expect to reap one cwt. of wheat, 
for every fourteen lbs. which they sow ; a liberal 
manuring of lime revigorates this soil in so much, 
that they reap six or seven corn crops without any 
intermission ; indeed it only requires to be seen, to 
convince any farmer that it can be depended on 
for any purpose in husbandry. I have been well 
informed, that it is not unusual for an English acre to 
yield 350 cwt. of potatoes or 30 of oats, after beinp 
well limed. No oxen are employed here in draught. 
Horses plough with collars, and for the purposes of 
husbandry there are not more than five horses to 
z every, 



338 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

every sixty or seventy acres ; the stock rather sought 
here are milch cows ; no farmer is without one, and 
several have two or three since the culture of clover 
has been more in use. 

The young cattle are sent to mountain farms to 
be reared, and are sold afterwards, principally of 
late years, to jobbers who purchase for Scotch 
markets ; this trade is carried on to a great degree, 
and is certainly no small encouragement for the 
rearing of stock, as it has assuredly been the prin- 
cipal cause of the immense rise on black cattle ; 
so great have been the profits of the jobbers in 
this trade, that they now speculate in all kinds of 
live stock, and export sheep, young horses, pigs, 
and even poultry. 

This soil being so favourable to dairy husbandry, 
and the farmers fond of appropriating all the land i 
they can spare to this pursuit, there is, of course, 
a considerable quantity of butter produced, which 
there is a good demand for in Lurgan, and a great 
quantity is purchased for Belfast market and sent 
there by Lough Neagh. The houses in this dis- 
trict are comfortable and neat, the walls kept white- 
washed, and the gardens adjoining prettily dressed ; 
the barn and cow-house are in general annexed to 
each dwelling, and an orchard affords shelter and 
ornament to the whole. The fuel here is turf, 
which is more abundant than in most other parts 

of 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 339 

of the county ; yet it is not cheap, but yields large 
sums to the occupying proprietors. 1 have already 
noticed one tenant on Mr. Brownlow's estate, who 
realizes above 1000^. per annum on turf bog only. 
The parts of bog, which are cut out, lie extremely 
well for draining, and could easily be converted 
to fine meadow land ; on the whole, the lands are 
in good heart, the population is immense, the houses 
neat and comfortable, fuel convenient, markets excel- 
lent, corn-mills well supplied with water, and the 
roads in general here, and in Armagh barony, the 
best in the county. 

The town of Lurgan, which has also been called 
Little England, though I could not learn the reason, 
or discover the analogy, except its being remarkable 
for cleanliness, is composed of one principal very 
long and wide street, which is in one place, near 
the church, greatly disfigured with a number of 
very old miserable houses, which are strangely 
built in its centre, and quite spoil the effect it would 
otherwise have. Here is an excellent house, which 
if any, is the only building that should be suffered in 
the centre of a street; the entrances to this build- 
ing have been ornamented with iron gates, and in 
the apartment overhead the sessions have hitherto 
been held, but a very neat court-house and bride- 
well have been newly built, and are now nearly 
finished. 

z 2 Many 



340 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

Many of the houses in this town are covered with, 
shingles, and it is surprising to see this mode adopt- 
ed, even in some handsome modern houses. 

The church is very spacious and well built, and 
ornamented with a very elegant spire, and an ex- 
cellent organ. A poor school is supported by an 
annual charity sermon and liberal subscription, in 
which seldom less than 200 children are educated. 

This town is situate in the parish of Shankhill ; 
the Rev. Mr. Waring, the rector, resides on his 
estate in the adjoining county of Down ; this gen- 
tleman receives his tithes by a modus of \0ci. per 
acre, for which he agreed with his parishioners ; 
the tax is chearfully paid, and so it should, being 
extremely moderate. 

The trade of Lurgan consists wholly in articles 
of the linen and muslin manufacture, principally 5 
cambricks, lawns, diapers, and diaper damasks, in 
which it will average from 2,500/. to 3000/. weekly 
sales. Spinners for these fine articles draw their 
yarn to twenty or thirty dozen, of which lawns and 
cambricks are made, and these webs sell brown at from 
twelve to fourteen shillings per yard ; fine diapers 
for table linen are also manufactured in this vicinity; 
but in this kind, the yarn is always the property 
of the merchant, who gives it out to the weaver on 
task work ; this man will earn nearly double wages 
with any other description of weaver. 

There 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 341 

There is some decrease of the linen trade to be 
attributed to the weavers having lately become fonder 
of working cottons in the muslin branch, as they 
have better wages, but perhaps the truer cause of 
the decline from any other period is the flimsiness of 
the materials, which are bv no means equal to their 
former quality. The merchants have ineffectually 
strove to counteract this falling off, through a want 
of unanimity, and they must now be content, if the 
warp alone is of good yarn, which is not always 
the case ; we may also justly attribute, in some 
degree, this decline to the bad character, which our 
manufacture acquired by the many packages, which 
were returned from America, in consequenee of 
the late distructive alteration in the bleaching pro- 
cess ; and it must be also remarked, that the ex- 
traordinary rise on labour, since the years of scar- 
city, have tended in no small degree to depreciate 
the trade, and must have the like effect probably 
for a great while to come. 

I have chosen this section for the remarks on, and 
causes of, the decline of the manufacture, because 
it is in this part of the county that the injury has 
been most material, and that fine goods com- 
pose the principal stock ; in places, which are more 
engaged in the coarse manufacture, the effects have 
been less severe, and the stagnation but tempo- 
rary. 

Mr. 



342 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

Mr. Brownlow is endeavouring to establish a 
wheat market in Lurgan, which bids fair for suc- 
cess, from his encouragement of allowing it toll- 
free, and the great quantities of this grain which 
are raised in the vicinity; it must only require buyers 
to establish a market. 

Throughout the environs of Lurgan labour is high, 
even in the winter season ; in summer they pay six- 
teen pence per day, and sometimes so high as two 
shillings and two pence ; but, on the average of the 
year, nearly double profits accrue from the loom, 
on which account almost even?- labourer has a know- 
ledge of weaving ; very few labourers are employed 
by the year in the field, except in Mr. Brownlow's 
demesne, where those, who have constant employ- 
ment, receive ten pence in winter, and thirteen 
pence in summer. 

In this division there is no timber for sale ; ex- 
cepting for implements of husbandry, foreign tim- 
ber is more generally used, and is brought down 
the lake from Belfast; this navigation is of the first 
importance to this town. 

Banfoot-ferry is just at the mouth of the river 
Blackwater, where it is discharged into the lake ; 
the country In this direction is low, flat, and marshy; 
the distance between the mouths of the Ban and 
Blackwater rivers is but trifling, they are both com- 
prised in one view from the lake. 

Mr. 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 343 

Mr. Brownlow's demesne, which consists of 300 
acres, adjoins the town of Lurgan, and is very 
well improved, and inclosed with a capital stone 
wall ; the mansion is a very antique castle, and has 
received many additions since the original walls 
were built, as mentioned in the Appendix. The 
demesne, though very beautiful, yet corresponds with 
the antiquity of the castle, in the many inclosures 
into which it is divided, and is highlv ornamented 
with a fine sheet of water, which is covered with 
swans, cape-geese, wild ducks, and a beautiful va- 
riety of water-fowl ; around this lake is a pleasant 
and neat gravel walk, decorated with elegant plan- 
tations, and always open for the recreation of 
the townsfolk. The parks are well stocked with 
deer, and numerous hares sport through every 
part of the demesne. Mr. Brownlow has set a 
very laudable example, in introducing the improv- 
ed system of husbandry. I have not seen a finer 
field of turnips than has been sown here in drills, 
and they were extremely well hoed. Mr. Brownlow 
is also provided with a Scotch plough, drill barrows, 
harrows, and several approved implements ; his im- 
ported breed of Berkshire pigs are uncommonly fine, 
and will be a real service to the county ; a Leices- 
tershire ram and some elegant ewes have been lately 
added to his stock, and also a bull and some hei- 
fers from Scotland, at a great expence. 

I must 



344 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

I must here acknowledge this gentleman's very 
polite acquiescence in contributing to furnish the 
Dublin Society's museum with a valuable assort- 
ment of the natural curiosities of Lough Neagh, 
which he had collected. 

The neighbourhood of Lurgan is well supplied 
with corn mills, and near Aughalee church, which 
is at four miles distance, a flour mill has been erected. 
The country from hence to Portadown is in high 
population and improvement; the entrance into 
this town from Lurgan gives a respectable idea of 
its wealth and the value of its local situation. The 
Ban navigation to Lough-Neagh crosses the road ; 
the -ware-houses on the banks of this river, and the 
numerous barges, display a considerable trade, with 
•which the large brick houses and well assorted shops 
fully correspond. This town is on the estate of 
. Obens, Fsq. ; a corn trade is very well en- 
couraged here, and Mr. Phelps is the proprietor of 
an extensive porter brewery. 

From hence to Rich-hill the county is no less po- 
pulous, and the lands are in great improvement ; the 
people shew every appearance of ease and wealth ; 
an instance may be observed of their superior en- 
joyment of the necessaries, if not the comforts, of 
life in the numerous grocers shops in this whole 
district ; within every mile on all the roads in this 
country wc meet with two or three of them ; per- 
haps 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 34$ 

haps no county in Ireland is better supplied with 
market towns than Armagh, and yet in every neigh- 
bourhood are those depots of the small luxuries of 
the people ; a sure proof of the superior wealth, and, 
let me add, of the civilization of the inhabitants. 

The features of the country, in this district near 
Rich-hill, now change to an undulating surface, and 
the open champaign view is quite obscured. The 
town of Rich-hill, which is on the estate of William 
Richardson, Esq. is not extensive; its importance 
consists in its linen market, whose weekly sales will 
average 1500/. and here is a very excellent market- 
house. The appearance of the town is interesting, 
which is considerably encreased by the elegant de- 
mesne of Mr. Richardson, whose residence is in 
full view from the street. This castle is also an- 
tique, and seems to have been built about the same 
time as that of Lurgan ; indeed the mansions of the 
principal gentry of Armagh appear to be all of the 
same date. This demesne is well enclosed, and the 
soil is really excellent, with a good stock of full 
grown timber, and some very fine young plantations. 
The town of Rich-hill is situated on high ground, 
and is four miles N. E. of Armagh. From hence, a 
closely improved country mostly in demesne, and 
charmingly wooded, is now within our view ; the 
church of Kilmore stands to great advantage, and 

has 



346 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

has a line and striking- effect, near to which is the 
scat of Mr. Joseph Atkinson. 

The demesne of Castle-Dillon, the seat of Sir 
Capel Molyncux, Bart, is within one mile of Rich- 
hill ; the lands are very fine, and the improvements 
modernized with much taste. The house is situated 
low, and very old fashioned, but the offices are 
modern, and well built. 

The demesne, which is walled in, is highly orna- 
mented with forest trees, and has a handsome sheet 
of water overflowing a low marsh, which is exten- 
sive, skirting the base of a hill covered with 
young plantation, and on the opposite side of the 
approach is contrasted with a wood of full- 
grown oak or ash. 

The approaches are extremely well planned, and 
ail persons are permitted to pass through the de- 
mesne, which shortens the road full one mile and a 
half. 

The late Sir Capel Molyneux erected an obelisk, 
just adjoining the demesne, to commemorate the 
services of the volunteers of Ireland ; being situated 
on very elevated ground, it is now a noted land- 
mark. This pillar is sixty feet high, and the base 
twelve feet square. On a black slab in front is the 
following inscription : 

" This Obelisk was erected by the Right Hon. 
;; Sir Capd iMolvncux, of Castle Dillon, Bart, in 

" the 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 347 

u the year 1782, to commemorate the glorious 
" revolution, which took place in favour of the con- 
" stitution of the kingdom, under the auspices of 
u the volunteers of Ireland." 

This same gentleman, whose patriotism was so 
well known, erected another obelisk, to commemo- 
rate the establishment of the order of the Knights of 
St. Patrick in Ireland. 

The roads are very excellent, the enclosures ele- 
gant, and the country in the highest state of fer- 
tilization from hence to Loughgall village, in which 
a fine new church has been lately built. The in- 
cumbent, the Rev. Mr. Bissett, resides in an elegant 
parsonage just adjoining. The higher part of this 
village is the most modern, and is very superior to 
the low ground. The demesne of Drummilly, the 
seat of Colonel Cope, overlooks Loughgall ; and the 
antique long avenues, of fine timber, extend to the 
lake, which skirts the village. The mansion of 
Drummillv consists of three lofty square towers, 
connected by two retiring faces in a right line, and 
has a clumsy and antique appearance. 

The modern improvements are at the rere of the 
demesne, and the bog is shut out by an extensive 
belt of plantation, which will form a very fine 
screen, and have a grand effect, after a short time. 
A very active and attentive spirit of improvement is 

visible 



34* STATISTICAL SURVEY 

visible in this demesne, which enjoys no small capa- 
bilities. 

The other demesnes in this division are, Wawkin- 
sliaw's Grove, the seat of Mr. M'Craight ; Church- 
hill, of Mr. Verner ; Harrybrook, of Mr. Harden ; 
Clantelew, of Mr. Obre ; Summer island, of Mr. 
O'Donnel; Drummast, of Mr. James Hardy; 
Mahon, of Miss Workman ; Fairlawn, of Mr. Law- 
son ; Carrick, of the Rev. Dean Blacker ; Knocka- 
muckly, of Mr. John Fivey ; Lilo, of Mr. Robinson ; 
Silver- wood, of Colonel Cuppaidge ; Springfield, 
of Mr. Waddell ; and Waringstown, of Mr. Ma- 
gennis. 

In several of these demesnes a very rapid progress 
is getting forward in improvements, particularly in 
plantation. In this respect there appears a spirited 
emulation amongst the gentry. 

From Loughgall to the city of Armagh, the coun- 
try is in the highest state of improvement ; the soil 
is a rich limestone, and this district abounds with 
numerous quarries of this valuable fossil. I should 
have mentioned the village of Maghery, in the nor- 
thern division, situate near Lough-Neagh ; it is only 
remarkable for a good fair of horses and young cat- 
tle : the most noted is held on the 24th of June. 



Sect. 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 349 



Sect. 5. Baronies of Upper and Lower Orior ; 
including some curious and interesting particulars 
of the Lordship of Newry. 

In this extensive district, which comprizes nearly 
a third of the county, the surface is hilly and moun- 
tainous, intersected with numerous streams, which 
principally are discharged from small lakes into the 
Newry river, and whose waters are constant supplies 
for several bleach and corn mills. 

The soil of this district is rather light, and not 
limestone, yet brisk and tilty, yielding excellent 
crops from the application of lime. 

The town-parks in the vicinity of Newry, which 
have been reclaimed from being some of the worst 
land in the county, will now frequently produce five 
tons of hay from a plantation acre, a proof of the 
capability of the soil, if judiciously cultivated. 

The natural stone of the county is grit and free- 
stone, and is found of different qualities, of the ex- 
tremes of hard and soft stone, both in rocks, partial 
quarries, and loose boulders ; and this approaches at 
length to a complete granite in the highest grounds. 

The patches of bog are numerous, and are capable 
of being levelled and drained, as the falls are very 

good. 



SSO STATISTICAL SURVEY 

good. The mountains, which cover a considerable 
tract towards the southward, are capable of improve- 
ment by liming ; yet this manure is at a great di- 
stance, which seems to be a material obstacle to their 
reclamation. Notwithstanding this disadvantage, 
tillage gradually creeps up their sides ; and there are 
few places that are not accessible to young cattle, 
and yield a wholesome, though coarse herbage. 

On a general average, perhaps three-fourths of 
the culture of grain are in favour of oats ; the re- 
maining quarter is occupied with barley and wheat 
crops ; of the former grain ten parts to one in ex- 
tent of acres, and, indeed, generally in quality also. 

Limestone is carried from eight or ten miles di- 
stance, at the cost of four shillings per ton. This 
mode, though more expensive, is preferred to that 
of purchasing it in a caustic state, as it drains less 
ready money, owing* to their own labour, and that 
of their horses ; and their fuel, which is consider- 
able, is never taken into account. 

Though the wheat crops are prolific, yet the grain 
is very inferior to that produced in the wheat coun- 
ties of Ireland, which I attribute to its being always 
raised here in a potatoe fallow. But flax is a fa- 
vourite crop ; and only as much potatoe ground, as 
they do not reserve for this culture, is occupied in 
corn crop^. 

Their 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 351 

Their partiality for the business of the linen ma- 
nufacture encreases, as the additional number of 
looms will prove ; but they are much less engaged 
in weaving in the southern parts of this quarter, 
than in most other parts of the county ; their redun- 
dancy of flax is carried to the interior fairs and 
markets, where there is a steady demand for it, as 
its quality is sound and good. 

The principal town connected with these baronies 
is Newry, the smaller part of which, with some of 
the lands of that lordship, are within our limits ; the 
river being the line of division between this county 
and that of Down, where the remaining part of this 
extensive lordship and great commercial town is 
situated ; but I shall reserve my remarks on this 
subject for the conclusion of this section ; and I 
come now to speak of the most considerable town 
within the district of Orior, which is Tanderagee. 

This town is about eight miles east of Armagh, 
possessing some very capital advantages, whether 
we consider its natural situation, or other matters of 
material moment. As to the former, it can scarcely 
be excelled ; standing in a fine, rich, and beauti- 
fully improved country, and in the vicinity of the 
most charming parts of the county of Down. Its 
contiguity to the Newry canal is no less favourable, 
which flows within a mile of the environs, and af- 
fords it all the advantages of trade with that com- 
mercial 



352 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

mercial town, and also with Belfast ; and the lands 
of this vicinity have, by the same conveyance, the 
benefit of procuring abundance of limestone, on easy 
terms, which so powerfully fertilizes this soil. 

The country around is thickly inhabited by 
wealthy bleachers ; and the small farmers, who are 
very comfortable, are all engaged in the linen manu- 
facture, so that it became no difficult matter to have 
a market established in Tanderagee, which was soon 
numerously resorted to ; insomuch that, at soma 
times, the weekly sales of linens have amounted to 
the enormous sum of 7000/. The trade is very con- 
siderably in fine 'linens, and some lawns and cam- 
bricks are offered here for sale. This flattering 
prospect of such a respectable market was not of 
long duration, and that short period of its importance 
was occasioned by an unusual demand in the trade. 
The average sales are now, from the concurring 
authority of the most respectable merchants who 
frequent this market, about 2000/. weekly. 

In the winter season there is a considerable 
quantity of beef brought to this market, the hides 
and tallow of which will often amount to 500/. 
weekly. 

This town is on the estate of Colonel Sparrow, 
whose demesne fronts the principal street, and imme- 
diately adjoins it. The approach to Tanderagee 
county of Down is really charming ; the 

neat 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 353 

neat appearance of the town, its gradual" elevation; 
from a valley, through which a beautiful stream 
winds between lofty and undulating banks, which 
are thickly w-ooded on the one extremity, and the 
demesne which on the other crowns the summit of 
the hill, afford a pleasing prepossession to the tra- 
veller ; nor are his expectations balked in viewing 
the town and its vicinity ; every place correspond* 
with this engaging picture. 

The demesne of Tanderagee had an immense 
quantity of full-grown timber, which has lately been 
greatly diminished ; but a sufficiency remains to de- 
corate the bold and abrupt eminences, which it has 
been justly celebrated for. Nature still triumphs in 
her display of wild and irregular charms, which are 
of that description that, we should suppose, would 
rather be injured than improved by modern inno- 
vations. 

The present proprietor has added some planta- 
tions, to supply the timber he has felled, with an in- 
fant nursery in good management, and he has al- 
ready nearly completed a very capital and extensive 
garden. 

In the hot-houses I observed a mode of procuring 
shoots from plants, which seems worthy of particular 
attention. A tin vessel, which resembles a porrin- 
ger, and will hold about three pints, is constructed 
so as to open with a hinge in the side, being, divided 

A a into 



$54 Sf ATIST1CAL SURVEY 

into two distinct parts, as we may conceive could be 
done by cutting a porringer through both sides and 
bottom, and separating it into two equal pieces, 
which might be connected again with a hinge in the 
side ; in the centre of the bottom, through which 
the cut has been made, is a circular hole, large 
enough to admit the branch of the fruit-tree, from 
which roots are to be forced. This vessel, or can- 
nister, as it is called, being unhinged, is made to 
embrace the branch, and, the sides of it being se- 
cured by a clasp, it is filled with a compost, of 
■which I could not learn the proportions, but the 
materials consist of cow-dung, virgin earth, and turf- 
mould ; this being attentively watered, the branch 
is exposed to the glass, so as to have all the power 
of the sun, which, together with the artificial heat 
of the hot-house, will soon have the effect of forcing 
out roots and filaments ; these fibres can be easily 
examined by opening the cannister, and, when suf- 
ficiently strong, the branch is cut off just below the 
vessel, having now a complete root shot out, and it 
is placed in a pot with its original compost about 
the root. This plant, after due nursing, is trained 
against the glass, or the wall of the hot-house, in 
the usual manner ; the effect being exactly similar 
to that of striking roots from layers of branches. 
The plant, which is thus acquired, is termed a 
water-set, and, whilst in the process of striking out 

its 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 355 

its roots, is still drawing sustenance from the parent 
stock ; this is an eas} T and ingenious mode of propa- 
gating scarce and valuable plants. Near Colonel 
Sparrow's demesne, is the elegant glebe and par- 
sonage, which, for above forty-five years, was 
the residence of the late Reverend Doctor Lester, 
and which, by this gentleman's great taste and 
liberality, has arrived to its present degree of im- 
provement. 

The farms on this estate are very small, and the 
population immense. The average size of farms is 
under four acres, and the proportion of inhabitants 
nearly seven to a house ; they hold their tenures 
under one life only. Limestone is distant about six 
miles from the nearest quarry by land carriage, but 
they can be supplied on better terms by the Newry 
canal. Lime is their principal manure ; they fre- 
quently spread the lime on lea ground, as I have 
'remarked in other parts of this work, and they suf- 
fer it to remain on the surface, perhaps three years 
before it is ploughed in, or as long as they find this 
top-dressing serviceable to the grass, calculating, 
that by its effects on the soil it is now matured for 
cropping with grain ; and experience has convinced 
them, that in this idea they are not mistaken ; a 
liming is however seldom repeated above once in 
ten years, so that we may judge how little land is ap- 
propriated to grass j their tillage consists in the 
A a 2 culture 



35$ STATISTICAL SURVEY 

culture of potatoes, flax, and oats principally, and 
they have a resource in the low-lands and bottom 
meadows for hay ; the meadow is taken by the 
acre, and the hay is carried off by the purchaser 
after being three weeks made, or is forfeited, that 
the after-grass may be preserved. Average price of 
good meadow six guineas per acre ; of an inferior 
sort, from 3l. to 4/. The rent of flax and potatoe 
ground, for a crop of each, two seasons, five guineas 
per acre, and a rich dunging; the proprietor of the 
ground taking possession as soon as the flax crop 
is off. 

The following very liberal premiums have been 
offered by Colonel Sparrow to his tenantry, and 
each house on the estate was served with a printed 
copy of them, stipulating the conditions, &e. 

1. Three guineas for the largest and best crop of 
clover or vetches, in proportion to the size of the 
farm, to be ploughed in after the second cutting. 

2. Two guineas for the second best ditto. 

3. Three guineas for the largest and best crop of 
turnips, in proportion to the size of the farm. 

4. Two guineas for the second best ditto. 

5. Three guineas for the largest quantity of pota- 
toes, which shall be altogether planted, moulded, 
and turned-out with the plough. 



€. Two guineas for the second best ditto. 



7. Three 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 357 

7. Three guineas for the neatest and cleanest 
farm-house, offices, and yard, in proportion to the 
ability of the tenant. 

8. Two guineas for the second best ditto. 

9. Three guineas for the farm, which shall appear 
to be best cultivated, fenced, and cleanest of weeds, 
in proportion to its size, and the ability of the tenant. 

10., Two guineas for the second best ditto. 

11. Two guineas, and eight-pence per pound, 
for the best cheese made upon the estates. 

12. One guinea, and six-pence per pound, for 
the second best ditto. 

13. An oak loom, to the journeyman weaver, 
who shall have wove the greatest number of pieces 
of yard-wide linen, of, or above, the set of a twelve 
hundred, within the last twelvemonths; to be cer- 
tified by his employers. 

14. An oak loom, to the weaver's apprentice, who 
shall have wove the greatest number of the above ; 
to be certified by his master. 

15. Twenty guineas to the person, who shall 
plant the largest and best orchard. One half to be 
paid when the trees are two years planted, and the 
remainder when in bearing. 

16. Fifteen guineas for the second best ditto. 

17. Ten guineas for the third best ditto. 

18. Three guineas to the tenant, who shall most 
industriously and beneficially employ his children 

during 



358 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

during the year ; boys under fifteen years, girls 
under fourteen. 

19. Two guineas to the second most deserving 
ditto. 

The river Ban joins the Newry navigation within 
two miles of Tanderagee, and from thence, with the 
Cushier river, flows into Lough Neagh, making in 
this course about eight miles. 

The great advantage of this canal is the constant 
supply of sea-coal brought from Newry, at 4s. Sd. 
per ton freight. The numerous bleach-mills in this 
vicinity could not be supplied with turf, this fuel is 
so scarce in this district. From Tanderagee to 
Guilford there is the closest neighbourhood of opu- 
lent linen merchants; and, for a great extent in- 
deed, almost the whole of the country is a continu- 
ation of demesnes and beautiful improvements; many 
of these are held by the respectable society of 
Quakers, and their establishments in the linen trade 
are the most considerable in this country. A ma- 
nufactory has been erected here for vitriol, which is 
indispensable in the bleaching process, and is the 
joint property of several merchants, who have a 
large capital sunk in this concern, from which a suf- 
ficiency of vitriol is made, equal to their demand. 

This beautiful country lies low, and is greatly 
inconvenienced by the precarious inundations from 

Lough 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 359 

Lough Neagh, which have sometimes extended so 
far as eight miles from the usual shore, branching 
into the direction of the county of Down. In this 
range, whether towards Lurgan, Moira, or Newry, 
the lands lie low, and present an uncommonly fine 
plain ; and, in some lines of this view, culture 
is brought to higher perfection than I have ever 
witnessed ; particularly that part, which lies in the 
county of Down, in the vicinity of Guilford, Hall's- 
mill, and Waringstown, is truly charming. The 
delightful improvements in this view, and the ver- 
dure of the lands, are finely contrasted with the 
white webs, which cover so extensive an area, 
this whole country being occupied by wealthy- 
bleachers. 

On the western borders of Orior, tracing towards 
Newry, stands the old village of Clare, where an 
excellent fair is held on the 12th of May. This 
village is on the estate of Colonel Dawson, whose 
demesne of Clare-castle adjoins ; the mansion is one 
of the most ancient in the county, and is now in 
the occupation of Mr. Leigh. 

In this direction is also the village of Portnorris ; 
from hence towards the southward, the country par*- 
takes more of the features of the Fews district, 
whose mountains extend into this barony, and join 
the Doobrin mountains, which are only here distin<? 
guished by that name, and are a part of the same 

range, 



S6o STATISTICAL SURVEY 

range. In this line is the small village of Camlough, 
if it deserves even the rank of a village, so 
named from the celebrated lake of Camlough, 
•which is worthy of particular notice, on account 
of -the rapid stream, that flows from this small sheet 
ef water, and performs more actual work in a line 
not quite two miles, than can perhaps be equalled 
in any part of Ireland ; and the numerous works 
on its banks furnish an eminent instance of the 
superior spirit and industry of the people in this pro- 
vince, who so eagerly seize every natural advantage 
for furthering and encreasing their trade. 

This stream first supplies the corn-mill of Cam- 
lough, Which is extensive in comparison with this 
description of mills in this country, from whence 
it courses to Mr. John Duffs very capital bleach- 
ing concerns, which are capable of completing 
14,000 pieces m the year. Mr. William Pollock's 
works, where 18,000 webs can be finished, are 
next amply supplied by this stream ; a short dis- 
tance hence, on their banks are erected the most 
capital boulting-mills in the county, equal to ma- 
nufacture 10,000 barrels of wheat, which are the 
property of Messrs. Jackson and Co. ; on the next 
fall a good flax-mill is erected ; and, at a short 
distance from it, another corn-mill ; from thence this 
Same stream flows to Mr. Joseph Campbell's bleach- 
mill, capable of finishing 18,000 webs; the next 

■works 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 36s 

works on the banks of this busy water are, the 
flour-mills of Messrs. Christopher Reed and Co.,. 
but I have not learned their capability ; near to these 
concerns is another fall, which is intended for some 
extensive manufactory, I understand in the pottery. 
or foundery process ; below this are two other falls, 
the property of Messrs. Atkinson and Co. , on one 
of which they have erected a bleach-mill, and are 
about occupying the other in the same process ; 
here it joins the demesne of Derrymore, the seat 
of the Right Hon. Isaac Corry. The very fine im- 
provements of Derrymore shew the correct and 
elegant taste of Mr. Southerland, who planned them, 
and superintended their execution ; this demesne, 
"when Mr. Corry undertook its improvement, had 
great natural capabilities in respect of beauty, and 
he has persevered in reclaiming a region, which was 
a bleak and almost barren waste. The young 
plantations already display a fine appearance of 
wood ; the approaches are extremely well planned, 
and the cottage, which is as yet the only residence, 
is, without exception, the most elegant summer lodge 
I have ever seen. The grounds here lie high, and 
their improvements will have a fine effect from Newry 
as the plantations get up. 

Tracing a continuation of the borders of Orior, 
we must now extend more to the westward, where 
we meet with little worth our particular notice, till 

we 



362 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

we arrive at Fork-bill, where a good barrack is 
erected and constantly garrisoned. This village and 
manor was the estate of the late Richard Jackson, 
Esq. whose seat adjoins, and I must remark, that 
this gentleman bequeathed this very considerable 
property for charitable purposes after a most extra- 
ordinary manner. 

I cannot convey the sense of this uncommon be- 
quest better than by transcribing the will, which is 
given in the annexed note * ; and by it there ap- 
pears,, 

* In the name of God, amen. I Richard Jackson, 
of Fork-hill Lodge, in the county of Armagh, Esq. being 
of sound and disposing mind, memory, and understandings 
do make and publish this, my last will and testament, 
hereby revoking all former and other wills by me hereto- 
fore made. I give and bequeath to my dearly beloved 
wife, to be by her will disposed of as she shall think 
proper, all my estate in the county of Cavan, subject to 
the sum of 20,ccc/. sterling, out of which sum of 20,000/. 
sterling, good and lawful money of Great Britain, I order 
my debts and legacies to be paid, and the remainder, if 
any, of the said sum of 20,000/. I leave to my executors 
upon trust. 

I give and devise to my sister, Susannah Barton, widow, 
and her daughter after her decease, all that remains my 
property in the city of Dublin, not subject to any debt 
st the time of my decease, and to their heirs for ever- 

I give 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. $6$ 

pears, that a considerable interest in his estate of 
Forkhill was left undisposed of, and, of course, de- 
scended to his heir at law ; the rental of the estate 
was at the time of his decease, in the year 1787, 
about 2550/. per annum,. 

This 

I give and devise to the Most Rev. the Lord Primate 
of all Ireland, the Right Rev. the Lords Bishops of 
Down, Connor, and Dromore, the rectors of the parishes 
of Fork-hill, Killevy, Loughguilly, Creggan, and Dundalk, 
and their successors, all my estate of Fork-hill upon trust 
and as trustees, for the uses herein after named, viz. : 1st. 
that, upon my decease, the interest of the 20,000/. charged 
upon my Cavan estates shall be regularly paid out of my 
Armagh estate, during the life of my ever dear wife; 
the remainder to be divided, after my wife has taken as 
much as she thinks proper for her ample accommodation, 
both of houses, demesnes, and rent, into two equal parts; 
I mean the rents to be equally divided, one half to be 
enjoyed by my sister and her daughter, and after their 
decease to the propagating the gospel ; the other half to he 
expended in clothing and educating as many, as the fund will 
allow, children of the church of Ireland, and in giving, at 
the age of twenty five years, to each five pounds and a loom, 
and a small holding in preference to other tenants who may 
offer. I would wish, that such tenants should not get leases 
for lives, that they may not be debauched by the thirst or 
power of gold. I appoint my wife, sister, niece, the Rev. 

Thomas 



364 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

This naturally threatened much litigation, but 
the parties wisely compromised and adjusted mat- 
ters, which they got confirmed by an act of parlia- 
ment; 

Thomas Woolsey, Jackson Wray, jun. Esq. Thomas Reed, 
of Dundalk, Esq. and Daniel M'Dougall, executors of this 
my last will and testament; my will is, that after my wife's, 
sister's, and her daughter's decease, that half of Fork-hill 
estate shall be employed in propagating the religion of our 
blessed Saviour, particularly- in the east, by adding to the 
number of Danish and other protestant missionaries, as my 
said trustees, or any three of them, a bishop being one, shall 
think proper. 

I give to the infirmary of Dundalk loo/. ; and I give 
to the rector of Fork-hill, for the time being, three guineas 
yearly, to be by him, or my executors, in his name, paid to 
said infirmary annually ; the like sum of three guineas annually ', 
to Armagh infirmary, I leave to him or my executors, to be 
paid in his name, or in the name of the curate, if the rector 
should reside elsewhere, as my intention is, that the resident 
clergyman should be a governor of each hospital, for the good 
of my poor fellow-creatures, 'who are destroyed by the advice 
of quack doctors. 

I leave to Jackson Wray, jun. Esq. ioo/. ; the like to 
Daniel M'Dougall, my faithful steward; a year's wages to 
each of my servants ; ten pounds yearly to Richard Gracey, 
and ten pounds more to Thomas, his father, for his main- 
tenance. 

I give 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 365 

ment ; in which it was agreed, that a portion of 
the rents from the estate of Fork-hill, immediately 

from 

I give to Mrs. Ann Boyd, of Wexford, 200/. and after 
her decease to her nephew, my godson. I desire my 
executors may, with the advice of my trustees, apply the 
remainder of the 20,000/. towards the defraying the ex- 
pence of any suits at law, that may be commenced on ac- 
count of this will, without sale of my manor of Fork-hill, 
and in making a decent provision for honest old decayed trades' 
men or farmers. J leave 1 00/. to buy looms , to U given t& 
the poorest of my tenants in my two manors, whose sons have 
served an' apprenticeship of three years ; and I leave 1 00 
great coats to 1 00 of the oldest of them at the time of my 
decease. In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand 
and seal, this 20th day of July, 1776. 

KICHARD JACKSON. 



Signed, sealed, published, and declared" 
by the testator, as, and for his last will 
and testament, in the presence of us, 
who in his presence, and the presence of 
each other, have hereunto subscribed our 
names as witnesses hereto, 

SAMUEL BUTLER, 
THOMAS BUNBURY, 
JOHN M'MULLEN, 



366 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

from the time of the testator's decease, was to be 
applied to the uses of the poor children of his te- 
nants, as directed in the will, and to continue for 
ever, which lands at that time yielded 375/. annu- 
ally ; and the residue of the net income, after the 
deduction of 200/. per annum, for agencies, quit- 
rent, &c. "was to be vested in his wife, sister, and 
niece during their lives, and, after their decease, that 
the one half of the net income of said estate of Fork- 
hill was to be applied, from thence for ever, to the 
propagation of the christian religion in the east ; 
the remainder of the issues of the estate was for 
ever to become the property of the heirs and as- 
signs of his sister, as heir at law, as is more par- 
ticularly set forth in the act of parliament. 

This digression was necessary to the fully ex- 
plaining the nature of the charitable purposes, for 
which the bequest was made, and which so mate- 
rially concerned the district under consideration. I 
shall now resume the review of this division. 

The southern bounds are the wildest parts of the 
county, which are already described in the earty 
part of this work ; in this district is the small vil- 
lage of Fleury-bridge, situated about four miles 
from Newry, on the Dublin road, where there is 
a daily post, and which adjoins the village of Jones- 
borough. These two villages are now considered 
as one only, under the denomination of Jones- 
borough* 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 367 
borough, and adjoin the county of Louth, at the 
demesne of Ravensdale-park. 

The eastern bounds of this barony, which also 
make the line of division between this county and 
Down, are strongly marked by the Newry canal, 
and the Newry river. I return to the point of 
junction of the river Ban with the canal, and shall 
trace it from thence up the stream to Newry 
town. 

This river flows in a valley, which extends from 
Lough-Neagh to the sea, and was a strong line of 
defence in this country, which was so long the 
scene of warfare, in contest between the English 
troops and the natives, and a natural barrier of at 
least twenty-five miles in length, on which were 
but four passes, affording a dangerous and formida- 
ble communication between the counties of Down 
and Armagh, through bogs, woods, and morasses ; 
these remarkable places were Scarva, Tuscan' s-pass, 
FoyntzVpass, and Newry, all of which may be as 
properly said to be in Armagh as in Down county, 
as they stand on the borders of both, and it was 
in these places that the English armies first assem- 
bled in the year 1688. 

The first of these, on the line from Lough- 
Neagh, is Scarva-pass, which is defended by a large 
bog, through which it runs, and was anciently called 
Glan-JFJusb 1 some works were buiU on this pa^s 

by 



36* STATISTICAL SURVEY 

"by Colonel Monk, afterwards Duke of Albemarle, 
but not of durable materials, as there do not re- 
main any vestiges of them ; near this pass is a 
small village with a salt-work, and also a small lake 
called Lough-shark from the abundance of pike it 
is famous for ; a lesser lake, which is contiguous, is 
called Lough-dian. 

Approaching towards Newry from hence, the road 
runs parallel to the canal, and just adjoining it, 
and the county on either side is very interesting, 
and in great cultivation. In this line we approach 
the neat town of Acton, "which, with the adjoining 
mansion, demesne, and manor of the same name, was 
some years since purchased by the late Mr. Hanna, 
a very eminent merchant of Newry, from the then 
proprietor, Mr. Stewart, a lineal descendant of the 
original family, by whom that extensive manor for 
ages past had been enjoyed. 

The village of Acton, which adjoins the Newry 
canal, is extremely neat, the houses are new and 
well built with hewn stone, window stools, and the 
roofs are very capitally slated and ranged in due 
and neat proportion. The main street is intersected 
at right angles, and already nearly one half of the 
original plan is completely built. Mr. Hanna paid 
much attention to the improvement of the town 
during the short time it was under his controul, 
and built a capital malt-house and stores on the 

banks 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH, 569 

banks of the Newry canal, which passes close to 
the village. 

The situation of Acton is extremely favourable for 
trade, and naturally is very beautiful ; an excellent 
inn is already established here, and this is now a 
well frequented stage, which the new line of road 
from hence to Newry so particularly is favourable 
to. 

From hence to Drumbanagher, the seat of 

Moore, Esq. the country is very fine. In this ca- 
pital demesne the soil is rich, and the plantations 
in great vigour, surrounding a very excellent man- 
sion-house. 

This part of the country is extremely w r ell for- 
tified by nature, lying high and commanding a 
great extent, and is celebrated as having been the 
principal strong hold of the Earl of Tyrone, during 
his long contested wars with the English govern- 
ment. 

The vestiges of his entrenchments, where he was 
encamped, are yet seen, and since his time to the 
present have been called Tyrone's ditches. This 
position was also chosen by this general, as being 
the most central between Lough-Neagh and the sea, 
and his troops covered the entire line. 

From hence, the country is beautifully wooded, 

particularly on the county of Down side; and on 

the new line of road to Newry, where the brow 

B b of 



3/0 STATISTICAL SURV;. 

of the hill has been levelled and cleared of the rode, 
the views are interesting and picturesque. 

I should have noted the pass between Acton and 
Drumbanagher, which was originally called Fen- 
wick's, but now Poyntz's-pass, from the circum- 
stance of this important position having been forced, 
after a desperate action, by Lieutenant Poyntz of 
the English army, with a few troops, against an 
immense body of Tyrone's soldiers ; for this extra- 
ordinary gallantry, he was rewarded with a grant 
of 200 acres * in this barony, which his descen- 
dants have since enjoyed. A castle formerly com- 
manded the pass, some vestiges of which can yet 
be traced. 

On the line from Drumbanagher to Newry, is 
the last cf these formidable passes ; the position is 
very strong on this side of the water, and the ground, 
commanding it, is called Tuscan's, or Lamb's-pass ; 
in Irish it is named Turrishane. I have not learned 
the origin of its name ; a castle was also built here 
to protect this pass, which can yet been traced. 

The particulars of the present establishment of 
the Newry canal, which I have frequently had oc- 
casion to mention in this division, will be found 
in the sixth section of the first chapter, under the 
Leads, Waters, Nctcnj canal. 

I should 

* See the extracts from Harris's Hibernica, in the 
Appendix to this work. 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 371 

I should however remark the wonderful change 
of the constitution, if I may call it, of this county,' 
at the present da;/, from what it possessed when this 
navigation was first made at the expence of the na- 
tion ; the intention having been, as is particularly 
expressed, for the benefit of agriculture, and to 
convey coals from the Tyrone collieries to Newry, 
from whence they might be shipped for the diffe- 
rent ports of Ireland. The reverse is now actually 
the purpose, for which this canal is at all employed, 
and proves how little it is occupied in assisting 
agriculture, and how entirely it has been devoted 
to the furtherance of manufacture. This is exem- 
plified in the privilege the public enjoyed, of con- 
veying manure, lime, or limestone on this naviga- 
tion toll-free ; and it will serve as a strong proof 
of the decrease of trade on this line, as well as 
of the ignorance of the neighbouring farmers of 
their privileges, when I inform my readers, that 
at this time they draw their lime in cars on the 
road, which runs close to the canal, and parallel J 
to it for several miles distance, both for the pur- 
poses of manure and of building, at ten times 
more expence than they might convey it by wa- 
ter ; and so far from this line being employed in 
the conveyance of coals from the Tyrone collieries 
to Newry, perhaps a greater quantity of sea-coal 
is sent from Newry on this navigation to the mi- 
ls b 2 morons 



372 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

merous bleach-greens in the interior, as well as 
the great abundance, which is consumed in this po- 
pulous district for culinary purposes. 

The demesnes not before mentioned in this di- 
vision are, Mullavilly, the seat of Mr. M'Conwell ; 
PoyntzVpass, of Mr. Bell; Fork-hill lodge, of 
Mrs. Barton ; Fork-hill, of Mrs. Jackson ; Heath- 
hall, of Mr. Seaver ; Southwark, of Mr. Courtney ; 
Jonesborough, of Mr. M'Neale ; and Turner's- 
hill, of Mr. Turner. Some of these are already 
finished demesnes, in high culture, and ornamental 
improvement, and a particular attention is paid to 
plantation. 

The general report of the soil of this extensive 
division is deep, tilly, and rich, highly fertilized 
with lime manure, and it yields very fine crops, par- 
ticularly of barley. The average value of these 
lands is fully equal to thirty shillings per plantation 
acre, annual rent. 

The country from hence to Newry, by the na- 
vigation, is very pleasing and well cultivated, but, 
departing from the canal line, a worse road cannot 
be conceived, than from the junction of the new 
road with the old turnpike road between Newry 
and Armagh ; the miserable state of the bleak lands, 
at either side, fully corresponds with the evident 
nnd disgraceful neglect of this part of the country, 
:xnd deserves great reprehension ; on so noted a 

thoroughfare, 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. tfg 

thoroughfare, surely the tolls ought to be adequate 
to the repairs. 

I shall now conclude this chapter with some ac- 
count of the town of Newry, and the interesting 
particulars of that antient lordship. 



Lordship of Newry, x 

Of this extensive territory, by far the greater part 
is in Down county, and is constituted there a half 
barony ; the smaller division, which is situate in 
this county, lies in the barony of Orior. This 
property deserves a particular attention, on account 
of the extraordinary privileges and immunities, both 
civil and ecclesiastical, which the proprietor has 
enjoyed for many ages. 

The great expanse, which includes the lordship 
of Newry, w r as originally abbey lands. The abbey 
for Cistercians was founded anno 1153, by Maurice 
M'Loghlin*, monarch of all Ireland, with the con- 
sent of the kings and peers of Ulster, and Errigal, 

and 

* From the several bishops, who were witnesses to this 
charter, it appears to have been granted between the years 
1148 and 1 1 73. See Harris's Collect, 



374 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

and became a celebrated place, which was the ori- 
gin of the town of Newry. 

This building was named Nevoracense Monaste- 
rium, or the abbey of Newrie*, and it is named 
in the charter, Ibar Cyn tvacta> which is trans- 
lated, the flourishing- head of a yew tree ; the tra- 
dition being, that, at the time of the founding of 
the abbey, there was here a celebrated grove of 
this timber, which was a suitable place for monkish 
confinement and recluse studies. It is further said, 
that two remarkable yew trees shaded the abbey 
gates ; hence the place was called in the plural 
Tx umber, the Newries, or the Yews ; in the latin 
of that age it is translated, Monaster ium dc viridi 
ligno, from the Irish Na Jur. We are told that 
in the burial ground, which adjoins the abbey, some 
stumps of trees were found anno 168S, on the south- 
east side, by soldiers who were digging a grave ; 
that these stumps, or roots, had a beautiful red co- 
lour, and took a fine polish, and were converted 
into utensils for various purposes ; it is probable 
they were the remains of the ancient yews, for 
which this place was celebrated. 

The abbey being founded, a library was annexed 
to it, and this religious house was placed under the 

invocation 

* Newry has been also called, Jubbar-chiwn, Traigh. 
See Monasticon Hibernicum. 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 375 

invocation of St. Patrick and St. Mary; but it is 
recorded, that, in 1162, the abbey was burnt and 
the library, and a yew tree, which was planted by 
St. Patrick, shared the same fate ; about eighty years 
after the founding, the several endowments were 
confirmed to it by Hugh de Lacey, Earl of Ulster. 

From thence until the reign of Henry VIII. 
this abbey flourished, and had amassed considera- 
ble treasures, but this monarch changed its consti- 
tution to a collegiate church for secular priests, 
anno 1543. This college consisted of a warden and 
vicars choral ; a confirmation of all those posses- 
sions was granted on the 28th of June, in the 30th 
of Henry VIII. reserving only to the crown 
the yearly rent Gf four marcs ; but a few years 
after, when this prince shook off his subjugation to 
the papal see, it shared the fate of tlie other reli- 
gious houses, and was dissolved ; but in the suc- 
ceeding reign of Edward VI. this lordship was 
granted to Sir Nicholas Bagnail, who was marshal 
of Ireland, with all the immunities and privileges, 
which it enjoyed as an ecclesiastical establishment, 
and he was permitted to use in his court the an- 
cient seal of the charter, on which is represented 
a mitred abbot in his albe sitting in a chair, sup- 
ported by two yew trees ; the motto, Sigillum ex- 
empts jurisdictionis de Viridi ligno, alias Newry 
et Moume, 

The 



37& STATISTICAL SURVEY 

The marshal now resided on his territory, con- 
verted the abbey into his palace, re-edified and 
strengthened the town, and built some castles and 
strong works, the vestiges of which yet remain, nor 
is it above fifty years since the ruins of the ancient 
chapel were standing. He also built the church, 
anno 1578, and is interred within its walls. 

This church, which is situated on very high 
ground, almost inaccessible to carriages, is a vicarage 
in the diocese of Dromore ; it was almost destroyed 
by the insurgents in 1641, and remained a ruin till 
after the Restoration, when it was repaired and 
roofed ; but soon after the roof was taken off, and 
the walls were raised, to admit of a gallery. 

In 1689, the Duke of Berwick burned the town of 
Newry, to secure his retreat to Dundalk from the 
English forces under the command of the Duke of 
Schombergh. 

This lordship, and all its ancient privileges, were 
enjoyed by the descendants of Sir Nicholas Bagnall, 
and at length became the joint property of two 
ladies, on whose marriages the estate was divided, 
and is now vested in the Earl of Uxbridge and Mr. 
Needham ; the former proprietor enjoying the 
Mourne manor, and the latter the lordship of Newry. 
The line of division takes place at Crown-bridge, in 
the county of Down, about a mile from Newry, 
marked by a c~kV/ated rath, with a large platform 

on 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 377 

on its- summit, which, tradition says, was erected 
for the place of single combat, fought by two 
princes, who were competitors for a royal territory ; 
hence this place was called Crown-rath, from 
which the bridge is also named. The ruins of an 
old chapel stand northward of the rath, on a rising 
ground, contiguous to a small lake. 

In the original grant to Sir Nicholas B agnail, 
there is a reservation of certain tenements in the 
town of Newry, and the town-land of Cornyhoughs? 
which is in the vicinity, over which the lord was to 
have no privilege, it having been a prior grant made 
to one Colin Crilly. 

Mr. Needham now enjoys all the ancient privi- 
leges and immunities under the old monkish seal, 
which are very considerable. He is ex officio rector 
of the parish, and has the power of granting mar- 
riage licences and probates of wills ; he receives the 
tithes with his rents, and appoints a clergyman his 
vicar, to whom he pays a salary ; it is contended that 
this gentleman is only accountable to him for his 
conduct, and not to the bishop, which, however, 
is a point disputed, and yet to be determined. The 
presentation to the living is claimed by the bishop, 
which is also to be decided ; but, should the eccle- 
siastical court be successful in this claim, it will tend 
to no advantage, for the tithes are the property of 
the rector, and the salary he pays his vicar is quite 

at 



378 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

at his option ; and it is even a matter of doubt, 
whether the bishop could oppose his officiating in 
person, although not in orders, so fully are his rights 
expressed. His power in granting marriage licences 
is also very full, as by his authority the marriage is 
good, if there be no legal objection to the parties 
intermarrying ; but no legal omission, or errors in 
the proceedings, or in the licence, would annul the 
marriage, which was not generally the law of the 
land prior to the passing of the maniage-act, and 
before that time this proprietor enjo}ed the pri- 
vilege. 

Exclusively of his ecclesiastical privileges, his 
civil authority is very great, as he holds courts baron 
and leet, and can command the sheriff not to carry 
his rod through his territories, even before the 
judges; and, to preserve this authority, that magis- 
trate's rod has been broken in their presence. He 
has also the power, by his receipt, of discharging 
all recognizances to the crown, which have been 
forfeited within his jurisdiction, if the offender has 
resided therein six weeks prior to the forfeiture, 
which it is mandatory in the sheriff to obey, and 
which sum the lord of the manor can order into his 
treasury, and .keep from the king's exchequer. 
This right has also been preserved by the institution 
of a suit against the sheriff, for having paid 300/. 
into the exchequer, of fines levied within this manor, 

which 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 379 

which sum, with costs, was recovered from him by 
the award of the court ; nor can a judge of assize, ia 
the towns of Armagh or Downpatrick, effectually 
punish an offender, within these territories, for not 
appearing to the sheriff's summons, as it is in the 
power of the lord of this manor to remit the fine at 
his pleasure, or to enforce the forfeiture, and order 
the sheriff to pay it into his own treasury.* 

The tithes and the rents of the lands of Mr. 
Needham's proportion exceed 10,000/. per annum, 
but the tenth part of these lands are not in this 
county. This gentleman's character, as a landlord, 
cannot be excelled in indulgence and generosity to 
his tenants. 

Lord Uxbridge's manor of Mourne, though con- 
siderably more extensive, is not so lucrative as the 
lordship of Newry ; it covers the vast area of the 
Mourne mountains, and a large district, the greater 
parts of which are wild, uncultivated, and uninha- 
bited wastes. His Lordship and Mr. Needham pre- 
sent in rotation to the united parishes of Mourne, 
Kilcoo, and Kilfegan, which are estimated at 1000/. 
per annum, all situate in the county of Down. 

In that part of the town of Newry, which is 
within this county, very fine warehouses are erected, 

and 

* I understand that Mr. Needham remits this privilege to 
the crown, but does not concede it altogether, only during 
his pleasure. 



380 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

and a considerable wholesale trade is carried on 
here. From hence runs the canal, nearly parallel 
with the Ban, in its course to Lough Neagh, and at 
fourteen miles distance it joins that river. The line 
of this navigation, from Newry towards the sea, ter- 
minates at Fathom, where it joins the tide-water. A 
canal has been in contemplation, to be cut from this 
town to Armagh, and an iron road is also talked of, 
but there has been no decision in either cases. 

Newry is celebrated for its extensive butter trade, 
which, it is said, amounts to above 300,000/. an- 
nually. This market is so well known, that some- 
times they send butter here even from the county of 
Sligo ; the price is certainly encouraging, and has 
the last season averaged 5l. 12s. per hundred weight. 
This trade will doubtless be injured, when a canal 
or iron road from Castleblaney to Dundalk is com- 
pleted, which is determined on. All the butter of 
Cavan and Monaghan counties, which is regularly 
sent to Newry through Castleblaney, will stop here, 
and go to Dundalk, by which means a great ex- 
pence, and seventeen miles distance of the worst 
road in Ireland, will be saved. 

A considerable trade is also carried on in Newry, 
in supplying pork and beef for the navy orders. 

The linens exported from Newry, from January 
1802 to 1803, amount to 200,000/., and might 
average 2s. 2d. per yarcj. 

The 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 381 ' 

The flax-seed imported for the last ten years, 
from 1792 to 1801, both inclusive, averaged 12,321 
casks annually; the greatest number was 18,160 
casks in the year 1799, and the smallest number was 
7,061 casks in 1795. 

The linen market is the second in the province, 
and averages 4,500/. weekly sales. This is held in 
the most inconvenient and disagreeable part of the 
town, which place is also chosen for the cattle-stand 
on fair days, and is extremely inconvenient. 

The linen market is here considerably decreased, 
since the new market of Kilkeel, in the county of 
Down, and of Carlingford, in the county of Louth, 
were established, which are both near to Newry. 
The linen trade of Belfast has also rivalled this 
town ; its linen-hall is well established ; but the 
splendid edifice, which the merchants of Newry 
built for this purpose at an immense expence, is now 
entirely abandoned from its original use, and has 
lately been purchased by government, and con- 
verted into a barrack. The old barracks are to be 
appropriated to a custom-house, which will be a 
great convenience to the merchants, as the present 
custom-house lies far from their business. 

These new barracks are unquestionably the best 
accommodated for the purpose in Ireland, or per- 
haps in his Majesty's dominions, though built for a 
purpose so extremely different as a linen-hall. The 

linen- 



3*2 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

linen-merchants have been obliged to sell these con- 
cerns to such a disadvantage, that the dividend of 
each proprietor was but thirty pounds for every ori- 
ginal hundred subscribed, as it was built by sub- 
scription, and debentures were issued accordingly. 

In this town a very capital distillery and malt- 
houses were lately erected ; and some good breweries, 
with a windmill for bolting flour on a large scale, 
have also been built. 

A new cofTce-house has lately been finished, and 
this town has long been celebrated for its handsome 
theatre. A capital foundery is now in forwardness, 
and there is already an extensive manufactory for all 
sorts of hammered iron, particularly for spades, 
shovels, and scythes. 

A spirited trader has also set up several looms for 
weaving damask, which have every prospect of 
success. 

All the subordinate branches of manufacture, equal 
to the demand of so populous a neighbourhood, are 
carried on in this town, and the shops are well sup- 
plied with not only the necessaries, but all the ele- 
gancies required in so opulent a vicinity. 

I must not omit, that Newry is a pot-walloping 
borough, "ad returns one member to the Imperial 
parliament. 

It would be unpardonable to conclude this sec- 
tion, without noticing the celebrated Pagan reliques 

of 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 3S5 

of Cairn, or Tlachgdgha Ban. There are two 
places of this name in this division, both situ- 
ated near Newry. One of them is a conical 
heap of stones, one hundred and eighty yards in 
circumference, and ten yards in height ; the other a 
1 temple. This remarkable place, whHi is 
about two miles north of Newry, on the banks of the 
canal, is one of the earliest vestiges of antiquity 
which remain in Ireland ; it is doubtless of Pagan 
origin, and must have been a Crom-Leach* of the 

Druids, 

* The following critical explanation of this word, from 
General Vallancey's Vindication of the Ancient History of 
Ireland, may be acceptable to my readers. 

" Crom-Leacb. — No words in the Pagan religion of the 
western world have been less understood, than these, by all 
writers. It is the name usually given to two monuments of 
a distinct nature ; one consists of a large flat stone in a ho- 
rizontal position (or near it) supported by other upright 
stones, fixed in the ground, on purpose to bear the weight o£ 
that stone, which rests upon them ; its elevation is six or 
eight feet from the ground. This was properly named the 
Curr-am-leacb, the stone cast about ; in some places it still 
retains the name of Carrig Curra (a), or the rock to be cast 
at. These are generally placed on elevated grounds, some- 
times standing on the plain natural soil, and at other times on 
the tops of Cams or artificial mounts ; and at others it is 
placed in the middle of a circle of stones erect; it was then 
earned Cir-am-leach, or, the circle about the stone (b). The 

third 

(a) As at Carlg Curra, county of Waterford, 

(b) At Carig a phQiiha t in county of Cork. 



3*+ STATISTICAL SURVEY 

Druids, as it bears every resemblance to their an- 
cient temples in its interior disposition, though it 

differs 

third species of these monuments, is the large stone of a rude 
pyramidical form placed on three others, which is also named 
a Crom-leach ; these huge irregular rocks required three up- 
rights at least, to support their incumbent weight ; there is 
no mystery, as some have idly imagined, in the number of 
the supporters, because, as Dr. Borlase rightly observes, they 
found it much easier to place and fix securely any incumbent 
weight on three supporters, than on two, four, or more; 
hence we find, when the weight was too great to be raised, 
the stone rested on the natural ground, as at Men in Corn- 
wall, or they cut away the rocks, if any below it, to give it 
the appearance of having been placed there by art, as the 
Clock-market-stone at Skreen, county Sligo, and the Tollmen- 
stove in Cornwall. 

The first kind of Cromleach, being a flat stone, resting 
sometimes on two pillars, but oftener on three, called Curr- 
am-leach, or Carrlg-Cnrra (the stone or rock to be cast at), is 
undoubtedly the Din-na Bith He Ram of the Canaanites, 
mentioned Jos. 13. and 27. The name declares it to have 
been a temple dedicated to their God, the Heavens, under 
the attribute of the Projector, or mover of things projected. 
We have notable remains of the worship of this famous God 
in this nation (says Hutchinson), (c). The Chaldeans named 
this temple Bith D'/ip Kolis, by which it is supposed they 
meant Mercury, whose name in Irish is Coll or Talt. These 
monuments the Chaldeans named D>^pna Merkolis, which 
Buxtorf explains " Statua Mercurialis, Idolum Mercurii 
cui cultus certus fiebat — dispositi fuerunt duo lapides magni, 
unus hinc, alter illinc, quibus tertius impositus, media sui parte, 
utrumque tcgens.— Veteres etiam appellarunt Bith Kolis, 

Domuai 
(c) Moses principia, p. 2. p. 313. 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. jff$ 

differs from the most of those antiquities which I 

have seen, as having a deep sloping bank far with* 

c c outside 

Domum Kolis, dc quo apud Talmudicos. — Ad dictos tres 
lapides projiciebantur alii lapides certo ritu, & cultu. Sanh, 
C. 7. f. 60. — Qui projecit lapidem ad Merkolis, (si com- 
mittit idolatriam) qui hie est cultus ejus." 

Sundry authors construe Prov. 26. and 8. d:*i ragam, to 
throw stones, sicut qui mittit lapidem in acervum Mercurii. 
See Selden, Maimonides, Vossius, &c. 

Hence Borlase observes, some of the Cromlehs of Corn- 
wall were quite inclosed and buried, as it were, in the 
Cam. As we find another name of Mercury in the 
Chaldee and Arabic was Katab, i. e. the Writer ; and in the 
former language Katet signifies an upright rock or stone, 
L.at. cautesy Gall, roches escarpees, Saxon Cote, Cyte, Rupes, 
Spelunca ; I am of opinion the Chaldee or Phoenician 
i"!Dp-nr)D Katab-Kata, has been corrupted to Kit-kotty, as the 
Irish Cloch-marhit is of Cloch Mor-Kata (d) ; whence Kitts 
Cotty House, the vulgar English name of the famous Curr-- 
am-leach or Cromleach in Kent, which, according to 
Camden and others, was erected over the burial-place of 
Catigern, brother of Vortimer king of the Britons ; but it 
is more probable that, finding this Cromleach at hand, they 
buried him under it : for it is remarkable, that the nearest 
quarry to this monument is six miles distant. Would it not 
have been easier to have conformed to the general mode of 
sepulchres, and have raised a earn of earth over him, rather 
than have been at the vast trouble and expence of drawing 
such immense stones, some of which weigh more than eight 
tons, the distance of six miles, to cover the corpse of the 
brother of a king ? — Dr. Borlase is certainly right in placing 
this monument as a Cromleach. 

These 
(d) Tweoty-three feet in girth. 



$86 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

outside the mount, enclosed with upright stones, and 
which is about two hundred yards in circumference ; 

the 

These monuments were so named from the Ch. net Rema, 
jacere, projicere. — The Jews had sacrifices appointed to be 
brought to the temple of God, called by this name, rendered 
the Heave- offerings of their hand* 

The Laplanders have a custom of throwing stones in the 
worship of the God Jumala. (Schefer, p. 27,.) Sale, in the 
preface of the Koran, observes the same of the Arabians. 
Pilts, in his account of the religion and manners of the Mo- 
hammedans, p. 135, 3d Ed. describes the same practice; 
whence I conclude it was one of the general modes of Pagan 
worship, established before the dispersion, as ablution, lus- 
tration, &c. most certainly were, from their general use 
among all nations. 

Now the word no") rama, to project, when applied to the 
actions of the mind (with which this God had no business) 
signifies to deceive ; and the projected stones, rising at 
length in heaps, called by the Irish Lachtan and Chrom, the 
Chaldean word nmy Gharema, signifying a heap, acervus, 
came at length to signify the worship of this projecting cere- 
mony ; and the oriental word being pronounced Hharema, 
Hharma, or Gharema, the Greeks formed their idea of 
Hermes t the prince of frauds, tricks, and cunning ; and from 
the same word is derived our Irish Crom y and Carn, a heap, 
a pile. — Ex Hanna, vel Garma, fit Lat. Grumus, Gall. 
Grumeau, Sax. Cramman, Anglice Cram ; farcire, saginare ; 
posset et hinc esse Horreum ubi acervantur frumenta. 
(Thomassin.) Hinc & 'Ep/muV, fraudum, & astutiarum prin- 
ceps Mercurius, unde Sc Mercurii nomen. (id.) 

The large rude monument of this kind, in a pyramidical 
forrn, :z certainly a symbol of their great, invisible, and un- 
known 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 387 

the entire area which it covers may be about a rood 

of ground, and is rather on a gentle eminence in a 

c c 2 large 

known God ; the mV Din Charam Louach, i. e. the devoted 
or consecrated stone ; the Irish Crom Cruach, or Aesar, the 
Creator ; the "i»» iashar, of the Chaldees and Phaenicians, 
from the word implying the Creator, and the Achar or Ashar 
of the Brahmans. 

These emblems of the Deity, as the creator of the 
heavens and the mover of the bodies projected, must have 
been established before the dispersion. Hence arises Dr. 
Borlase's observation ; " What nation, sect, or religion, 
this kind of monument may be said properly to belong to, or 
had its rise from, is a point not easiry to be adjusted, says he, 
seeing we find them in Denmark, France, Germany, and 
the isles of the Mediterranean Sea adjacent to the coasts of 
Spain and France, in Jersey, Ireland, Britain, and the Bri- 
tish Isles ; and perhaps in many other countries they will oc- 
cur, especially the northern kingdoms, by which they should 
seem to have been Celtic monuments, and with that numerous 
people carried into all their settlements. 

This ingenious author had not consulted all the writers 
on the pagan worship of the Eastern nations ; his ideas were 
confined to the Northern alone. — Kircher would have 
pointed out to him the Cromleach of the Egyptians ; Castel- 
lus would have shewn him, the Orientals had forty-eight ways 
of writing the name of the attribute ascribed to this Deity, 
all of which terminated in the Greek 'Ep/*5jf, in which word 
they comprehended the motion of all things, even the atoms 
of vegetables, under this attribute, adding at length wings to 
this image, to shew they supposed it had wings and power to 
Ifly upward, descend, or any way ; and, as an attribute of 

whas 



$83 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

large plain, enclosed by lofty bills at some distance, 
forming a spacious amphitheatre ; the stones are of a 

hard 

what they took for a God, could communicate that power 
to, and make other things fly. — Thus, from the ignorance of 
the later heathens and the prevarication of the Jews, they 
formed their Baal-zebub, a God of the air, a flying God ; but 
in these remote countries, the original attribute continued to 
Christianity. 

There are several places in Canaan, and parts adjacent, 
flamed from this attribute Rema ; so in Ireland we have se- 
veral : Cnoc Ramhar, or the hill of Rema, on which these 
Cromleachs have been placed; and I am much mistaken, if 
many of our lands denominated Curra's do not originate 
from the same kind of worship. 

The Fan-kac was the Chaldee name for the Crom-leach, 
signifying the stone of adoration, from rus phane, coluit, 
adoravit. Ne UBD tephanu, ad idola, Levit. xix. 4. The 
v/ord also signifies, respexit, adspexit ; hence Gen. xxxii. 
Et vocavit Jacob nomen istius loci ^ - 'JD Phani-el, quia vidi 
Deum, phanim al phanim, facie ad faciem ; hence in Chaldee 
o>jsV *ifi phani lephanim, the Sanctum sanctorum. (Bux- 
torf ex Talmud.) 

Fan therefore became a general word for every place of 
public worship, as Fan Lobuis, the church of St. Lobus in 
co. of Corke, &c. ; hence the Latin famim. 

Mias signifies an altar. JEthiopice My sway, Arabice 

Miz-beh ; hence SRabh M':as t now called Sliabh Mis, or the 

Mountain of the Altar, in co. of Kerry. 

A certain number of these altars and temples were in every 

Fairce or episcopal see of Ireland, and each Fairce had its 

peculiar priests ; hence Fairce, a diocese, plural Fairigb, 

parishes; the word is Chaldee, pD phark, finis, terminus, 

pars, separarc. 

Wc 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 3S9 

hard grit, resembling granite, but not so perfect in 
the grain. Within this glacis or slope, the base of 
the temple gradually rises towards the mound, 
whose circumference is one hundred and sixty 
yards, and is completely girthed or enclosed w r itli 
long and ponderous stones, set upright, and closely 
joined together. At the north-western aspect the 
principal entrance is formed by a simple bank of 
easy ascent ; and at the opposite extreme there is 
another open, which appears to be rather accidental, 
than of original design ; it is much narrower than 
the other, and is contiguous to the altar, which lies 
in this point. 

The 

\V r e must not here omit another name for an altar, which 
approaches so near to the Hebrew, it seems to point out the 
real derivation of it, and to have been borrowed from us by 
the Jews ; it is Arala or Urala. The Hebrew iwiK Ariel 
(Ezek. xliii. 16.) the altar which was twelve cubits long and 
twelve cubits broad, is the same word, letter for letter 1 the, 
interpretation of the Rabbins is Leo Dei ; the Irish Arala, 
the height or mount of worship, is surely a more rational, 
explanation. — Collectanea de rebus Uihernms^ vol. iv. J> 47 o 3 
et seq. 



39<- 



STATISTICAL SURVEY 



i A MM m 

imfm& 





The horizontal slab, which is very ponderous, 
rests on three upright stones, each about ten feet 
Jong, though they do not appear to be so much as 

half 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 391 

half their height above the surface, until we examine 
the close hollow spot in which they stand, below the 
level of the ground. Nine smaller stones, set up in 
like manner, form the paling of the altar, but the 
slab does not rest upon any of them ; they only serve 
to wedge in and support the three principal bearing 
stones. 

The slab is almost of a triangular shape, whose side* 
measure twenty feet ; but it appears to have had 
originally far greater dimensions, from the circum- 
stance of the ground, which joins this altar, being 
sunk in like manner for many feet distance, and 
also is enclosed with upright stones, set up in the 
same position, and on a level with those which, sup- 
port the slab ; it is the more probable that this slab 
■was of greater size, as, in any of those temples now 
existing, there is no stone paling but what imme- 
diately encloses the altar, and on which the horn 
zontal flag rests. / 

If, then, this altar was crowned with so massy a 
slab as would cover so extensive a paling, it is won- 
derful how such an immense weight; and unwieldy 
body, could be elevated to such a height on the 
bearing stones without the powers of mechanism, , 
to which so rude a people must have been strangers. 
I have heard it accounted for, as being probable, 
that, after the upright stones had been set up. a large 

stage 



392 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

stage of trees, extending to a considerable distance 
around them, might have been heaped across each 
other, and the spaces within filled up with sods and ' 
stones; that this stage of gradual ascent, being raised 
so high as the tops of the bearing stones, was then 
firmly covered over with earth ; that- the joint labour 
of men, oxen, and horses might then be, united, to 
drag the slab up the ascent, until it was rested on 
the stones, after which the stage could be removed, 
or set fire to, the slab remaining in its desired po- 
sition. 

This ancient relique was about five years ago in 
perfect preservation in every respect, excepting the 
slab ; and I am concerned to state, that the present 
occupier of the lands, an opulent brewer in Newry, 
has almost entirely dismantled the outer paling, and 
appropriated the stones to building in the town. 
This devastation has already reached the interior 
works; but it is hoped that here the sacrilege will 
rest, and that the altar will be spared, to mark one 
of the most ancient reliques which exist in this 
count}-. The annexed drawing represents its figure, 
as it stood about five years ago. 

1 must observe, in finishing this sketch of these 
baronies, that there is no limestone in this district, 
nor is there any appearance of this fossil nearer than 
Carlingford, ten miles distant from Newry. it is 

rather 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 393 
rather a singular circumstance, that on the opposite 
shore, in the county of Down, there are large rocks 
of it close to the water's edge, and it is not found 
within ten yards from the beach, nor in any other 
part of that country. 



CHAP. 



394 STATISTICAL SURVEY 



CHAP. XIV. 



CONCLUSION. 



I have already explained, in the preface to this 
work, that I cannot flatter myself that these Reports 
can be considered free from error. The nature and the 
variety of the enquiries must preclude the possibility 
of such a work being perfected by an individual ; 
and, indeed, the author extremely regrets that, from 
fortuitous circumstances, and his very ill state of 
health at the several times he visited this count}-, he 
was precluded the satisfaction he should have re- 
ceived, and, of course, the more correct informa- 
tion, from the gentlemen of the county, so few of 
whom he had an opportunity of consulting. 

Should they have the goodness to correct any 
errors they may discover, or supply any omissions, 
and favour the author with their observations, under 
cover to the Dublin Society, he will pay every at- 
tention to their opinions in the next edition, which 
will be published as soon as the necessary materials 
are collected. 

In 



OF THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 395 

In making my acknowledgments to the very few 
gentlemen, who favoured me with any assistance, I 
have, in a particular manner, to return my sincere 
thanks to James Dawson, Esq., chairman of the 
count}-. I feel that I have trespassed on his polite 
attention ; but my readers will allow I could not 
possibly have drawn my information from a more 
intelligent source, or rested it upon surer authority. 

CHARLES COOTE. 



APPENDIX 



APPENDIX. 



Extracts from Harris's Hibernica, and Captain 
Pynnar's Survey of Ulster, in which are given 
the Names of the original Patentees of the 
forfeited lands of this County, and their Deno- 
minations, with preliminary Observations. 



HAVING already given the present state of 
property in this county, in the second chapter and 
fourth section, I shall now shew how the estates 
were arranged, after this county became escheated 
to the crown, as taken from Harris's Hibernica, 
and shall state, of the project for the plantation of 
Ulster, so much as may be necessary relative to 
our narration. It is proper fir& to refer to the 

state 



z APPENDIX. 

state of property preceding the confiscation, and 
we find it was centered in the families of the 
O'Neil's, the M'Cane's, and O'HanloiTs. 

In the commencement of the seventeenth century 
it was principally vested in the families of M'Henrv, 
Acheson, O'Neil, Brownlow, and O'Hanlon, exclu- 
sive of the great territories settled on Mohartv, which 
the M'Canes forfeited in rebellion ; and also a great 
tract of country, called Oirther*, was escheated to 
the crown, which a branch of the O'Hanlon's had 
lost in rebellion. 

I shall proceed now to speak of that allotment 
of lands,, which was made in 1GL0 by James 
I. as reported by Pynnar in his survey of the es- 
cheated 

* Qlrtlxr was a district in the south of this county; 
the hereditary chiefs were the O'Hanlons; some of this 
family enjoyed their ancient patrimony within these two 
centuries. The O'CarrolPs had also a wing of this coun- 
ty, called Orgiely which territory comprehended Oriel and 
Uriel 9 derived from Oir Cadi, or the Eastern Ca'el ; this 
was an ancient a,nxl entensive district, which included part 
of this county : and the whole of Louth and Monaohan 
was governed by its proper king, subject in some respects 
to the supreme monarch. The sovereignty of this ter- 
ritory was invested in the family of the O'CarrolPs, he- 
reditary chieftains of Hy Cairol. 

Collectanea de rebus Hiberr.icis, Vol. J II. page 402. 



APPENDIX. $ 

cheated counties of Ulster, but it will be proper to 
give the general outline of the project, with an 
extract from it, for the division and plantation of 
this province, so far as relates to this county. 

In the project there were four general points 
observed in every county, viz. : 

1st. That the proportions of land, to be distri- 
buted to undertakers, should be of three different 
quantities : the first and least, to consist of so many 
parcels of land, as would make 1000 English acres, 
or thereabouts ; the second or middle proportion, 
of so many parcels as would make 1500 English 
acres ; and the third and greatest, of so many 
parcels as would make 2000 English acres, or there- 
abouts. 

2d. That all the lands, escheated in every count}-, 
should be divided into four parts, whereof two parts 
should be divided into proportions, consisting of 1000 
acres a piece ; a third part into proportions of 1500 
acres ; and the fourth, into proportions of 2000 
acres. 

3d. That every proportion should be made a pa- 
rish, and a parish church should be erected thereon, 
and the incumbents should be endowed with glebes 
of several quantities, viz. An incumbent of a parish 
of one thousand acres should have sixty acres ; an 
incumbent of a parish of fifteen hundred acres 
should have ninety acres ; and an incumbent of a 

parish 



*. APPENDIX. 

parish of two thousand acres should have one hun- 
dred and twenty acres ; and that the whole tithes 
and duties of every parish should be allotted to 
every incumbent, besides the glebes aforesaid. 

4th. That the undertakers of these lands should be 
of several sorts; 1st. English and Scottish, who 
•were to plant their proportions with English and 
Scottish tenants ; 2d. Servitors in Ireland, who might 
take English or Irish tenants at their choice ; 3d. 
Natives of those counties, who were to be free- 
holders. 

The general outline of the project being under- 
stood, it states that, " the county of Ardmagh is 
" divided by ballyboes, but because the ballyboes 
u are not found to be of equal quantity or num- 
u ber of acres, the distribution of this county is 
u to be made by acres. 

*f The whole county doth contain 77,SOO acres*, 
" which will make sixty-one proportions, viz. of 
" the least thirty-eight, of the middle sort thirteen, 
" and of the greatest proportion ten, and thirty acres 
u over to be added to some parish. In every of 
<c which proportions there is to be a parish and 
M incumbent with glebe, and by this ut supra.*' 

• Arable and pasture onl : \ 



APPENDIX, 



For the Church. 

" 1st. Out of these are to be deducted first, 
KC primate's share, which do contain 2400 acres. 

" 2d. For the incumbent's glebes, 4650 acres. 

" 3d. For monastery lands already granted, 430 
" acres. 

" 4th. The lands of the Fughes already possessed 
" by Sir Tirlaugh M< Henry, containing 9,900 acres. 

" 5th. The lands granted to Sir Henry Oge, con- 
" taining 4,900 acres. 



The Undertakers portion. 

" So as after these deductions made, there re- 
" main for undertakers 55,620 acres, which make 
" in all forty-two proportions, viz. : of the least 
" twenty-seven ; of the middle sort, nine ; and of 
" the greatest, six, which may be thus distributed, 
M viz. : 

" To the English and Scottish undertakers twenty- 
" eight, viz. : of the least, eighteen ; of the mid- 
" die sort, six ; and of the greatest, four. 

" To servitors six, viz.: of the least, four ; of 
<( the middle sort, one ; and of the greatest, one. 

cd "To 



€ APPENDIX. 

H To the natives eight, viz.: five of the least ; 
4i two of the middle sort ; arid one of the greatest. 

" The odd acres remaining are in number 3120, 
" which may be thus divided, viz. : 

" Twelve hundred acres to four corporate towns 
" or boroughs, which are to have like liberties, 
" and hold their lands as is before expressed, viz.: 
u to Ardmagh 300 acres, to Mount-Norris 300 acres, 
iC to Charlemont 300 acres, and to a corporate 
" town to be erected at Tanrvgec, in O'Hanlon's 
" country, 300 acres. Of the rest 1200 may be 
"■ granted to the college of Dublin, and the residue, 
" being 720, to be allotted to the maintenance of 
" a free school to be erected at Ardmacih. 

* fc Touching the natives who shall not be free- 

it 

*' holders, they are to be placed or removed by 
* ; order of the commissioners as in Tyrone*. 

" The 

* The following extract from the project relative to 
Tyrone will best explain this, viz. Harris, page 55. 

** Touching the disposing of the natives, some may be 
(i planted upon the 2323 acres of land (which were two 
V of the email proportions), and the glebes of the parsons; 
11 others upon the Kinds of Sir Art. O'Neal's sons, and 
• c Sir Henry Oge ON'eil's sons* and of such other Irish, as 
M shall be thought fit to have any freeholds there ; some 
" others may be placed upon the portions of such servitors 



APPENDIX. 1 

" The escheated lands in every of the said coun- 
" ties being thus divided and distributed, the seve- 
" ral undertakers are to have such estates, and to 
" yield such rents and services, and to observe such 
" other articles as are lately published in print by 
" his Majesty's command *. 

" Lastly for the encouragement and advancement 
" of the scholars of the college of Dublin, and to 
" furnish the churches of Ulster with sufficient in- 
" cumbents, we think it convenient, if so it please 
" his Majesty, that there be six advowsons in every 
ci county given to the college, three of the best, 
u and three of the second value. 5 ' 

d d 2 Observations 

* as are not able to inhabit these lands with English or Scot- 
" tish tenants, especially of such as best know how to rule 
" and order the Irish. 

" But the swordsmen are to be transplanted into such 
" other parts of the kingdom, as, by reason of the wastes 
u therein, are fittest to receive them, namely into Connaught, 
« and some parts of Munster, where they are to be dispersed, 
" and not planted together in one place; and such swords- 
11 men as have not followers, nor cattle of their own, to 
" be disposed of in his Majesty's service." 

* These are printed, at large, in Harris's Hibernica, with 
orders and conditions for the plantation, from page $3 to 
7 2 - 



APPENDIX. 



Observations on the Project. 

This project is ascribed to be the work of the 
privy council of Ireland, drawn up for the consi- 
deration of the King and English government, as 
a guide for the plantation, and was in several res- 
pects differed from in what relates to this county ; 
for in the project it is stated, that Tirlagh M' Henry 
O'Neil had been granted, by patent, the precinct 
of the Fughes, containing 9,900 acres; and by 
Pynnar's survey, which follows, it appears that 5,500 
acres of that precinct were granted to Scottish un- 
dertakers. 

The grant of lands for the free-school of Armagh 
did not take place till the reign of Charles the 
First. 

The transplantation of Irish swordsmen or sol- 
diers into Connaught, or Munster, was not observed 
in this or other counties ; and, though in the pro- 
ject provision was made for erecting several cor- 
porate towns, many of them weTe omitted through 
the escheated counties. 



Having 

9 



APPENDIX, | 

Having explained the heads of the project, and 
referred the reader for ample information to Harris's 
Hiberniea, I shall now extract, from Captain Pynnar's 
Survey of the forfeited counties of Ulster, the state 
of property in Armagh in the years 1618-19, which 
was taken a few years after the grants had been 
made by the King ; as the royal commission, issued 
previous to the plantation, was in the seventh of 
James the First, anno 1610, it follows, that the 
grants must have been made between that year 
5tnd 1618, when the survey was t^n. 



OUNTT 



APPENDIX. 



COUNTY OF ARMAGH. 

The Precinct of CPNeilan, allotted to English 
Undertakers. 

No. I. 

Ci 2500 acres. William Bromlow, Esq. hath two pro- 
portions, viz. Dowcoran, being 
J 500 acres, and Ballenemony, 
1000 acres. 
Upon the proportion of Ballene- 
mony, there is a strong stone house 
within a good island ; and at Dowco- 
ran there is a very fair house of stone 
and brick, with good tyme, and hath 
a strong bawne of timber and earth, 
with a pallazado about it. There is 
now laid in readiness both lyme and 
stone to make a bawne thereof, the 
which is promised to be done this 
summer. He hath made a very fair 
town consisting of forty-two houses, all 
which are inhabited with English fa- 
milies, and the streets all paved clean 

through ; 



APPENDIX. 



U 



through ; also two water mills, and a 
wind mill, all for corn, and he hath 
store of arms in his house. 

I find planted and cstated upon this land of Brittisk 
Families. 





1 having 420 acres. 


Total 57 fami- 




1 having 300 acres. 


lies, who have 




1 having 240 acres. 


divers under 




3 having 200 acres le piece. 


them ; and all 




1 having 1 20 acres. 


these have ta- 


Lessees for 


13 having 60 acres le piece. 


ken the oath of 


years 52, - 


8 having 50 acres le piece. 


supremacy, and 


viz. 


6 having 40 acres le piece. 


> are able to make 




6 having 30 acres le piece. 


anhundredmen 




9 having 26 acres le piece. 


with arms. — 




1 having 100 acres. 


There is also 




1 having 1 1 acres. 


good store of 




1 having 5 acres. 


tillage, and not 


Fre-holders 
5 ™- i 


! 5 having 120 acres le piece. 


one Irish family 
upon all th$ 
land= 



No. II. 



\ 000 acres. Sir Oliver St. John, Knt. hath a 
thousand acres, called Kernan. 
Upon this there are two bawnes ot 
timber, and moated about, and made 
very strong. There, is in each of the^e 
an English house of cage work, and 
two English families dwelling rn them; 

tjieyQ 



>* APPENDIX. 

there is, near to one of these bawnes, 
five houses, being inhabited with Eng- 
lish families; the rest are dispersedly 
npon the land three or four families 
together. 

I find planted and estated on this land of Brittish 
tenants. 



Freeholders J 
5, viz. 

Lessees for 
years eight 



viz. 



Cottagers, 
{bur, viz. 



5 having ! 20 acres le piece. 

2 having 120 acres le piece. 

3 having 100 acres le piece. 
2 having 60 acres le piece. 
1 having 40 acres. 

Each of these have a tene- 
ment and a garden plott, 
with comjnons for their cat- 
tle. 



Total 17 fami- 
lies, who with 
their under te- 
nants are able 
}*to make thirty 
men with arms; 
and thirteen of 
these have ta- 
ken the oath of 
supremacy. 



No. III. 



William Powell was*) 
first patentee. 



i 



Mr. Obbyns hath 

5xuuv acres. -< 2000 acres, called 
(^Ballnevoran. 

Upon this there is built a bawne 

of sodds, with a palazado upon it of 

boards, ditched about. Within this 

there is a good fair house of brick 

and lyme, himself dwelling thereon ; 

near 



APPENDIX. *$ 

near to this he bath built four houses 
inhabited with English families. 

I find planted and estated upon this land of Brinish 
tenants. 



Freeholders C 3 having 120 acres Ie piece. ^These twenty 
5, viz. c 2 having 100 acres le piece. Jtenants, with 
4 having 100 acres le piece, /their under te- 

2 having 60 acres le piece, f nants, are able 

3 having 66 acres le piece. /* to make forty- 

2 having 40 acres le piece. \ six men with 
i having 30 acres. farms, 

3 having ico acres jointly. S 



Lessees for 
years 15, 
viz. 



The Lord 
the fir 
tee 



\ Say was f 
st paten- > 



No. IV. 

/-Mr. Copehath300O 

«/»«« ] acres, called Der- 

3000 acres. j rycra ' vy and Dr0 . 

) vmully. 

Upon this there is a bawne of lyme 

and stone, an hundred and eighty feet 

square, fourteen feet high, with four 

flankers, and in three of them he hath 

built very good lodgings, which are 

th/ee stories high. There are also 

two water-mills and one wind-mill; 

and near to the bawne he hath built 

fourteen houses of timber, which are 

inhabited with English families. 



I find 



u 



APPENDIX 



I find planted and eslated upon this land of Brittish 
tenants. 



Freeholde 
six, vrz 



Iders J 



Lessees for 
years 34, <{ 
viz. 



Cottagers 7, ( 
viz. 



1 having 
3 having 

2 having 

3 having 

4 having 

2 having 

3 having 

1 having 

2 having 
2 having 
7 having 
2 having 

2 having 

1 having 

3 having 

2 having 

3 having 
2 having 
1 having 
commons 



200 acres. "] 

1 20 acres Ie piece. 

60 acres. 
120 acres le piece. 
100 acres le piece. 

80 acres le piece. 

60 acres le piece. 

55 acres. 

50 acres le piece. 

40 acres le piece. 

30 acres re piece. 

25 acres le piece. 

23 acres le piece. 

44 aeres. 

20 acres le piece. 

10 acres le piece. 
3 acres le piece. 
2 acres. 
1 acre le piece, with 
for their cattle. J 



These 47 fami- 
lies, with their 
under tenants, 
are able to' make 
80 men with 
arms. There 
are 18 of these 
have taken the 
oath of supre- 
macy. 



No. V 



1000 acres. Richard Roulstove hath a thousand 

acres, called Semore. 

Upon this there is a bawne of sodds, 

tvith a pallazado, and moated about, 

and a little house in it, inhabited with 

an English family; and near to the 

bawne 



APPENDIX. i§ 

bawne be hath made nine houses, 
which are inhabited with English te- 



nants. 



/ find planted and estated upon this land of Brittish 
tenants. 



P ,|, f "\ Total, ro fa- 

< 2 having ioo acres Ie piece. /milies who, with 

C. (their under te- 

Lessees for f 6 having ioo acres le piece. J nants, are able 

years, 8, < i having 20 acres. V to make 24 men 

viz. (. 1 having 12 acres. J with arms. 



No. VI. 

2000 acres. John Heron hath two thousand acres, 
called Aghivillan and Brochus. 
Upon this he hath built two small 
bawnes of earth, with a pallazado upon 
them, and a ditch about them ; and 
near unto each of these bawnes he 
hath built houses, which are inhabited 
with Endish families. 



I find 



1$ 



APPENDIX. 



I fond planted and eslatcd upon this land of Brittish 
families. 



Freeholders f 



viz. 



Lessees for 
years I2,< 



v:: 



i having 180 acres. 

i having 1 20 acres. 

2 having 30 acres le piece. 

3 having 20 acres le piece. 

2 having 15 acres le piece. 

3 having 10 acres le piece. 
1 having 60 acres. 



■ Total 13 fami- 
lies,which,with 
their under te- 
nants, are able 
to make 2 6 men 
with arms. 



No. VII. 

1600 acres. William Stanhoiee hath [500 acres^ 
called Kannagoolan. 
Here is nothing at all built ; himself 
is in England, and hath been there 
these seven years. There are not 
above three or four poor English men 
upon the land. All the land is inha- 
bited with Irish. 



No. VIII. 



2000 acres. liana's Sachevcrill, Esq. hath two 
thousand acres, called Mullallelish 
and Leggacorry. 

I fold 



APPENDIX. 



17 



I find planted and estatcd upon this land of Brittish 
tenants. 



Freeholders j 
3> viz. I 



Lessees for 
years 1 8, 
riz. 



1 having 


150 acres. 


1 having 


120 acres. 


1 having 


100 acres. 


1 having 


220 acres. 


5 having 


100 acres le piece. 


1 having 


95 acres. 


1 having 


80 acres. 


1 having 


74 acres. 


4 having 


60 acres. 


2 having 


40 acres le piece. 


1 having 


12 acres. 


1 having 


15 acres. 


1 having 


30 acres. 



Total 2 1 fami- 
lies, who, with 
their under te- 
j nants, are able 
I tomakejomen 
I with arms. 



No. IX. 

1500 acres. John Dillon, Esq. hath one thousand 

five hundred acres, called Mulla- 

bane. 

Upon this proportion there is a 

house begun some three years since, 

but is not half finished, being of brick 

and lyme, and a very fair building. 

There is no bawne. He hath great 

store of tenants, the which have made 

two villages, and dwell together. 



I find 



IS 



APPENDIX. 



1 jind planted and es fated upon this land of Brit t is h 
families. 



eeholders f 
;, viz. \ 



Freeholders 
3> 



Lessees for 
lives 1 8, 



Lessees for 
years 8, 
viz* 



3 having 120 
his sons. 

3 having 

4 having 
2 having 
2 having 
1 having 

5 having 
1 having 

1 having 

2 having 
I having 
1 having 
1 having 
j having 
i having 



100 
100 
100 
80 
70 
60 
50 
47 
30 
40 

30 

23 

20 

[O 



acres le piece,' 

acres jointly. 

acres jointly. 

acres le piece. 

acres le piece. 

acres. 

acres le piece. 

acres. 

acres. 

acres le piece. 

acres. 

acres. 

acres. 

acres. 

acres. 



Total 29 fami- 
lies, who, with 
their under te- 
\ nants, are able 
to make 40 men 
with arms. 



No. X. 

The Precinct of the Fexves, allotted to Scottish 
Undertakers. 



1000 acres. Henry Atcheson, Esq. hath a thousand 

acres, called Coolemalish. 

There is upon this a bawne of clay 

and stone, being an hundred and 

twenty feet long, and eighty feet 

broad, 



APPENDIX, 19 

broad, with four flankers. In this 
bawne there is a house ; the one half 
is stone and lyme, and the upper part 
is timber. I find a great number of 
tenants on this land, but not any that 
have any estates, but by promise, and 
3-et they have been many years upon 
the land. There are nominated to me 
two freeholders, and seventeen lease- 
holders, all which were with me, and 
look the oath of supremacy, and peti- 
tioned unto me, that they might have 
their leases ; the which Mr. Atcheson 
seemed to be willing to perform it unto 
them presently ; these are able to 
make thirty men with arms. Here is 
great store of tillage. 



No. XT. 



James Craig ") C John Hamilton Esq. bath 

was the first > iOOO acres. < a thousand acres, call- 
patentee. J (. ed Magharientrim. 

Upon this there is a bawne of stone 

and clay, being sixty feet square, 

twelve feet high, with two flankers. 



I find 



zo APPENDIX. 

I find -planted and e stated upon this land of Brinish 
families. 



Freeholders f i having 200 acres. 
2, viz. \ 1 having ioo acres. 
r 1 having 120 acres. 
Lessees for \ 2 having 60 acres Ie piece, 
years 6, 4. 1 having 96 acres, 
viz. / 1 having 60 acres. }- 

C 1 having 50 acres, 
p r Each of these have a tene- 

. ^ s < ment and a garden plott, with 
£ commons for their cows. 



Total 20 fami- 
lies, able to 
make 30 men 
with arms. And 
these have all 
taken the oath 
of supremacy. 



No. XII. 

r r7r T j °\ C John Hamilton, 

U dham Ladders 1 j £ fa h h ^ 

was the first J. 1000 acres. J J^ cal]ed 

P atentce - ) (.Kilruddan. 

Upon this there is a bawne of stone 
and clay, sixty feet square, twelve feet 
high, with two flankers, and a house 
in it. Near to the bawne there are 
seven houses, being inhabited with 
Brittish teria 



I find 



APPENDIX. 



21 



J find planted and estated upon this land of Brittish 
tenants. 



} 2 having 1 20 acres le piece. 



Freeholders 

two, viz. 
Lessees for f 2 having 120 acres le piece. 

years 5, < 1 having 60 acres. 

viz. i 2 having 66 acres le piece. 

p f Each of these have a tene- 

10 fir 1 ment anc * garden plott, with 
C commons for their cattle. 



io, viz. 



i Total 17, able 
to make 3 omen 
armed ; and all 
these have ta- 
ken the oath of 
isupremacy. 



No. XIII. 



500 acres. John Hamilton , Esq. hath 500 acres, 
called Edenagh. 
The other five hundred acres were 
gotten from him by the dean of Ard- 
magh. Upon this there is a bawne of 
stone and clay, pointed with lyme ; 
there are near the bawne six houses 
inhabited with Brittish tenants. 



E e 



I find 



22 



APPENDIX. 



/ find planted and cstated upon this land of Brit tons. 



Freeholder 
one, viz. 

Lessees for 
years 4, 



Cottagers 
five. 



having 1 20 acres. 



I having 120 acres. 

1 having 100 acres.' 

1 having 80 acres. 

i having 30 acres. 

Each of these have a tene- 
ment, and a garden plott, 
with commons for their cat- 
tle. 



Total 1 o fami- 
lies, who, with 
their under te- 
nants, are able 
► to make 2 2 men 
with arms; and 
all these have 
taken the oath 
of supremacy. 



No. XIV. 



S\r James Dow- ) 

glas was the ^2000 acres, 
first patentee. 1 



Archibald Atcheson, 
Esq. hath two thou- 
sand acres, called 
Clancarny. 



Upon this there is a bawne of stone 
and lyme, being an hundred feet long, 
eighty feet broad, and ten feet high, 
with four flankers two stories high, 
and thirteen feet wide, within the 
walls, which serve for good lodgings. 
There is also a castle begun, which is 
eighty feet in length, twenty-two feet 

wide, 



APPENDIX. 



23 



wide, and is now two stories high. 
There are near to the bawne seven 
houses inhabited with Brittish tenants. 
He hath in the bawne great store of 
arms, which will arm 129 men. 



I find planted and estated upon this land cf Brittish 
families. 



Freeholders 
four, viz. 



Lessees for 
years 2o,« 
viz. 



Cottagers 
five, viz. 



1 having 200 acres. 

3 having 100 acres le piece. 

1 having 20c acres. 

2 having 1 80 acres le piece. 

1 having 120 acres. 

4 having 60 acres le piece. 
6 having 60 acres jointly. 

2 having 60 acres jointly. 
4 having 60 acres jointly. 
Each of these have a house 

and garden plott, with com- 
mons for their cattle. 



Total 29 fami- 
lies, -who, with 
their under te* 
nants, are able 
to make 144 
men with arms. 
Besideshehath 
built a town, 
called Clancar- 
ny, where he 
^hath 29 Brit- 
tish tenants 
dwelling; each 
of them having 
some small par- 
cels of land ; so 
that in the 
whole number 
he can make 
173 men arm- 
ed. 



£ e 2 



No, 



APPENDIX. 



No. XV. 

The Precinct of Orior, allotted to Servitors and 
Natives. 

500 acres. Sir John Davies, knight, bath five 

hundred acres, called Cornechino. 

Upon this there is nothing at all 

built, nor so much as an English tenant 

on the land. 



No. XVI. 

1 500 acres. Sir Oliver Si. John, knight, bath fifteen 
hundred acres, called Ballemoore. 
For building there cannot be more 
spoken than what hath been formerly 
by Sir Josias Bodly, only the town is 
increased in buildings, being all inha- 
bited with English tenants. There 
are nine Irish families in the town, 
which come to church, and have taken 
the oath of supremacy. 



No 



APFEND1X. 2.5 



No. XVII. 



1000 acres. The Lord Moore hath one thousand 
acres, called Ballemonehan. 
Upon this there is a bawne of lime 
and stone, very near one hundred feet 
square, with two flankers ; in one of 
them there is a small house built, being 
inhabited by an Irishman. 



No. XVIII. 



2000 acres. Henry Bowcher, Esq. hath two thou- 
sand acres, called Claire. 
Upon this proportion there is a 
bawne of lyme and stone, being one 
hundred feet in length, and eighty 
feet in breadth, and fourteen feet high, 
with two flankers. There is now in 
building a good strong stone house, 
which is fully two stories high, and a 
number of workmen labourino: for the 
speedy finishing thereof. 

No. 



26 APPENDIX. 



No. XI 

1000 acres. Captain Anthony Sniiih hath one 
thousand acres. 
Upon this there is a bawne of stone 
and clay, which was formerly begun 
by Sir Thomas Williams. The said 
Captain hath begun another bawne of 
stone and lyme, being in a more con- 
venient place, the which shall be 
eighty feet square, with two flankers, 
and a good stone house thirty feet 
long, and twenty feet broad. This is 
undertaken to be finished by July, for 
there are a great number of men at 
work. 



No. XX. 

.00 acres. Lieutenant Pci/ns hath two hundred 

acres, called Curriator. 

Upon this there is a bawn of eighty 

feet square, the lower part whereof 

is of stone and clay, with a house 

in 



APPENDIX. 27 

in it ; but he not liking of the seat 
hath begun a bawne of one hundred 
feet square, with three flankers, and 
a large house, all which shall be of 
brick and lime, which is there now 
in the place, with workmen labour- 
ing very hard, and is undertaken to 
be finished by August. 



No. XXI. 

1009 acres, Henry Mc-Shane O'Neal hath 
one thousand acres, called Cam- 
logh ; but, he being lately dead, it 
is in the hands of Sir Toby Caul- 
field, who intended to do something 
upon it j for as yet there is nothing 
built." 



No. 



28 APPENDIX. 



Religious Houses of the County ', from Sir James 
Ware's Antiquities of Ireland. 

Abbey of St. Peter and St. Paul, in Armagh. 

€C The first founder, it is thought, was St, 
Patrick; the second Imams O'Hedeg ain, master of 
Malachias (TMorgair, afterwards archbishop of Ar- 
magh. The canons were of the order of St. August in. 

Friary in Armagh. 

A convent of Minorits was there founded by 
Patrick 0'Sca?ilai?z y archbishop of Armagh, in the 
year 1263 or 1264. 

Two Nunneries in Armagh. 

There were likewise two little nunneries built 
there, the one called the temple of St. Bridget ; 
the other Tcmplc-na-ferta, or the temple of won- 
ders, wherein St. Lupita, sister to St. Patrick, was' 

buried. 



APPENDIX. 29 

buried. Of the first founder I find no certainty ; 

but Jocelyn, in the life of St. Patrick, cap. 165, 
Bays they were founded by -5*/. Patrick. 



Nunnery of Kilsleve-cuilin. 

Founded by Darerca, called also Moninie, where 
she was abbess, and died July the 6th, in the year 
$13. 



Religious Houses of the County, as stated in 
ArchdaWs Monasticon Hibernicum. 



ARMAGH. 

Priory of Regular Canons. 

" A. D. 445. St. Patrick, the great apostle of 
this kingdom, founded an abbey here in this year, 
or in 457, for regular canons of the order of St. 
Augustin, and dedicated it to the apostles St. Peter 
and St. Paul ; it continued, for many ages, one 
of the most celebrated ecclesiastical foundations in 
the world. 

This 



30 APPENDIX. 

This abbey, and all the possessions thereunto be- 
longing, were granted, in May 1612, to Sir Toby 
Caulfield, Knight, at the rent of five pounds Irish. 



Priory of the Culdei. . 

The Culdei, or Colidei, Mere secular priests, and 
served in the choir of the cathedral of Armagh ; 
their president was called the prior of the college 
of the Culdei, and was as a precentor to the said 
church ; upon a vacancy a prior was elected by the 
whole college of the Culdei, but he received his 
confirmation from the archbishop. 



Temple Brigid ; 

Is said to have been founded in this town by 
St. Patrick. 



Temple Fartagh ; 

Or the church of the Miracles, was founded with- 
out the town by the same Saint, for St. Lupita, 
his eldest sister, who was buried here ; and, in the 
beginning of the hist century, her body was found 

buried 



APPENDIX. 31 

buried deeply under the rubbish of her ancient 
nunnery, in a standing posture ; two crosses were 
also discovered closely guarding the body before and 
behind. 

January 9, 1618, King James granted the mo- 
nasteries of Temple Fartagh, and Temple Breed^ 
to Francis Annesly, Esq. 

Dominican Friary. 

Porter in his annals tells us, that there was one 
at Armagh ; which is more than probable, other- 
wise the primate Scanlain, who was of that order, 
would not have made his foundation for the friars 
minor. 

Franciscan Friary. 

The friars of the order of St. Francis were brought 
into this town A. D. 1261, and Patrick Scanlain, 
who was then primate, built a house for them two 
years after ; though Wadding, the Franciscan, as 
quoted by Allemande, assures us, that it was 
founded in the year 1291, by O'Donnel. 

Clonfeakh. 

St. Lugud, or Lugaid, the son of Tailchan, was 
abbot of Cluain-fiacul, that is, the church of the 

Tooth, 



32 APPENDIX. 

Tootb, so named from a tooth of St. Patrick, which 
was said to have been preserved here. St. Lugud 
-was a very aged man in the year 580. 

Kilmore. 

St. Mochtee, who afterwards built Louth, founded 
Kilmoreaedhain, in the territory of Huadmeth ; the 
church is dedicated to St. Aedan. 

Kilmore is now a parish church, three miles east 
of Armagh. 

Kilslere. 

Wadding, the Franciscan, calls this Killare, and 
says it was the principal monastery belonging 
to the third order of Franciscans in Ireland. 
Thomas Ornay was made perpetual commissary of 
it in the year 1457, 

Killeiy.. 
i 

At the foot of the mountain of Slieu Gullen, in 
the barony of Orior. 

St. Darerca, otherwise called Monenna, sister to 
St. Patrick, was abbess of Kilslevc, or Belsleibhe ; 
she died A. D. 517, or 518, and her feast is held 
on the 6th of July. Others say, that this nunnery 

was 



APPENDIX. 35 

was built by St. Monenna about the year 630, after 
she had quitted Faugher, in the county of Louth. 

Kilsleve is now a parish church in the Hiocess of 
Armagh. 



StradhaiUoysc. 

Wadding says, that it is in the diocess of Armagh, 
and that a monastery for conventual Franciscans 
was founded there A. D. 1282, and that a pro- 
vincial chapter of the order was held therein in 
the year 1315. 

Tahdlen ; 

In Hy-meith-tire. St. Patrick founded Teg-talain, 
and made St. Killian bishop of it; his feast is held 
on May the 27th. 

This church was burnt A. D. 670. 



FINIS. 



Instructions to the Binder. 



Map of the County to face page i . 
Chart of Lough-Neagh to face page 96. 



ERRATA. 

Page 19, in the Ecclesiastical Table, for 13,300 acres in 
Meatb county , read 1,300. In the next column, under 
the head Parishes, same page, the numeral is not added 
in the tot, which is correct ; it should not be distinguished 
by the figure, but the word two. 

Page 20, line 8, for 3, read 5, and then add this sentence ; 
the Chapters of Christ Church, and St. Patricks, Dublin, 
to 3. 

Page 38, line 12, for, specious, read, spacious. 

• 6$, ■ 4, for, interrupted, read, interspersed. 

• 90, — 5, for, Portmorris, read, Portnorris. 
— — 148, — 4, for 7X. id., read, it. *j%d. 

— 172, 17, for, very, read, very few. 

175, ■ 10, for, the during, read, during the. 

— 259, — 10, for, steps, read, steeps. 

"— — 339> 2I » f° r > house, read, market-house. 

355, — 6, for, Doctor Lester, read, Doctor Leslie. 




\ES25X 0F CONGRESS 



III 



021 377 937 






1,1*. ■ iAtJ I 

•■•.ya4 

■ ■ 







■ 



■ 



■ 



^H 






[^■L 












■ 







■ ■ 

■ 

Ess ^^H_ 









